What Is Linseed Oil Used For In Oil Painting

Linseed oil is a natural, versatile material that's been used by oil painters for hundreds of years. Learning to use linseed oil correctly is key to getting the most out of your oil paints and creating the look you want. From types of linseed oils to step-by-step usage instructions, learn everything you need to know about using linseed oil in oil painting below.

Quick Introduction To Oil Painting Mediums

Before we talk about linseed oil specifically, we need to talk about oil painting mediums.

When it comes to oil paints, the drying time will depend on the formulation used by the manufacturer. Not just that, but each different colour will have a varying amount of oil and pigment, which can lead to vastly different drying times.

This is where oil painting mediums come into play. Mediums like linseed oil are used by professional painters to adjust the consistency, drying time, and finish of their paints. Depending on the type of medium, you can add a variety of sheens to the paint, shorten the drying time to a few hours, or even make your paints last several months without ever drying. As a general rule:

• Fat mediums are slow-drying
• Lean mediums are fast-drying

What Is Linseed Oil?

Linseed oil is a "fat" medium, meaning it slows the drying time of your oil paints. It is made using dried and pressed flax seeds, and has been considered the most popular drying oil since the 12th century.

Using linseed oil, you can have an easier time blending your paints, as well as help them maintain their vibrancy for years.

Our linseed oil ensures a strong paint film during drying, contributing to the longevity of each painting. It is also suitable for use with dry ground pigments. Available in 100ml, 250ml, 500ml, and 1000ml Vegan Product

What Is Linseed Oil Used For In Oil Painting?

While oil painting, you will normally use linseed oil:

• As a binder - the oil paint you buy in a tube is made of pigment (the colour) and a drying oil, most often linseed oil, that acts as a binder. It holds the pigment particles together and, as it dries, forms a tough, flexible film that adheres to the canvas.

• To change paint consistency - adding a small amount of linseed oil to your paint makes it more fluid and easier to spread. This can help create smooth, blended areas or add fine details.

• To increase transparency and gloss - linseed oil is ideal for creating glazes, which are thin, transparent layers of colour applied over a dried layer of paint to create depth and luminosity.

• To slow drying time - linseed oil is a "drying oil," which means it hardens through a chemical reaction with oxygen (polymerisation), rather than through evaporation like water-based paints. Adding extra linseed oil to your paint will slow down this drying process, giving you more time to work and blend colours on the canvas.

Types Of Linseed Oil For Oil Painting

There are many types of refined linseed oil available to painters, each with its own qualities. We recommend experimenting with different kinds to see which suits your painting style.

Refined Linseed Oil

This is the most popular form of linseed oil, used to slow down the drying time of the paint. It is particularly useful when painting in layers or when you want to give your paints a glossy finish.

Unlike other popular oil mediums, linseed oil has a paler appearance, which causes less discolouration in your paints over time.

Drying Linseed Oil

While refined linseed oil slows down the drying process, drying linseed oil is used to… well, dry your paints faster. By using drying linseed oil, you can get the usual glossy sheen of linseed oil while building up layers of colour on the canvas much more quickly.

Cold Press Linseed Oil

Professional artists can also use Cold Press Linseed Oil, a high-quality medium that delays the drying time of your paints even further, giving your artwork a shinier, harder finish.

Should I Always Use Linseed Oil When Painting?

No, you do not always need to use linseed oil when painting. This is an optional medium used to change the paint's consistency and drying time, but many artists paint successfully with just the paint from the tube.

Keep in mind that linseed oil can be used to thin paint, increase gloss and transparency, and prolong drying time, but too much can make the paint watery, and it can cause yellowing over time. You only need to add linseed oil if you want the paint to behave differently from how it does out of the tube.

How To Use Linseed Oil In Oil Painting

Step 1: Mix Your Linseed Oil With Paint

You can start by mixing a small amount of linseed oil with your paint, usually about 1 part linseed oil to 3 parts paint. You can adjust this ratio depending on the consistency and finish you’re looking for.

You can either do this directly on your palette, or by dipping your brush into the oil like you would with water.

Note: DO NOT mix linseed oil with water-based paints - it only works with oil paints.

Step 2: Layer Your Paint “Slow Over Fast”

For your first layer, make sure to apply paint with the highest ratio of linseed oil to paint. Only apply a new layer when the layer below is fully dry. Your next layers should be slower-drying - this allows you to build your painting without having too much oil on the surface.

Step 3: Use Less Oil For Those Final Layers

When applying your final layers, avoid using too much oil medium - this can cause cracking in the paint as it dries.

Note: Test First!

One of the most important things to remember is to always test your paints. Try mixing a small amount of linseed oil with your paint, and use that as a test on a separate surface - then adjust the consistency as desired.

Use very little linseed oil with lighter colours (e.g. white), as it can cause slight yellowing if the ratio of oil to paint is off.

At Loxley Arts, we also provide Pale Refined Linseed Oil, which helps keep your paint colours as vivid as possible without any yellowing. Available in 100ml, 250ml, and 1000ml Vegan Product

What About Storage?

To make using linseed oil or other painting mediums as easy as possible, you can attach oil dippers directly to the edge of your palette. Once you attach them to the palette, they are always there to help you with painting, and are designed to ensure no oil contents evaporate or leak.

After Use

Soft materials soaked in linseed oil should be stored in sealed containers to prevent oxidation, which can generate heat and potentially cause spontaneous combustion. After use, make sure the container is securely closed and stored in a cool place. You should also make sure any brushes and tools used with linseed oil are cleaned afterwards - use white spirit for the best quality clean.

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