OIL PAINTINGS ON CANVAS

Exotic India has hundreds of stunning oil paintings for sale. These works of art are lovingly painted by many great Indian artists, showing us scenes from Hinduism, Buddhism, the natural beauty of India, as well as more intimate moments of life.

These works of art are all available right now, through Exotic India’s convenient online shopping experience. Our selection is the best way to bring the art of India into your home or office, all at tremendous prices that you won’t find anywhere else.

Oil painting in India has long been a way for spiritual seekers to express their devotion. Many of our works follow this trend, with captivating tableaus of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. In works like Anup Gomay’s Sheshashayi Vishnu Worshipped by Gods, the artist lovingly portrays Lord Vishnu — the ultimate expression of divinity. By using high quality oil paints, the artist is able to bring out a depth and brilliance of color that shows the scene with expressive and expansive feeling.

Some of our other oil paintings for sale include a glimpse into the past. In Life Goes on Afore the Gate of Jama Masjid, the artist presents a scene from history. Here, the blue of the sky offsets the dazzling warm hues of the architecture, making the composition sing. The work portrays an everyday moment in the lives of its subjects, allowing us to feel connected to a different time.

We even have oil paintings of a more contemporary style. In Madan Gomay’s Two Horses, we see the musculature of these incredible animals rendered in striking detail. The faces of the horses are overflowing with life, all highly stylized.

Exotic India’s collection of oil paintings for sale continues to grow, but because these are one of a kind original works of art, you have to act fast. These are original paintings, and once they are sold they are no longer available.

FAQs

Q1. What are the rules of oil painting?

There are a variety of rules by which master oil painters across the globe swear. However, three golden rules of oil painting which are followed by beginners as well as masters are- 

“Fat over Lean”- This saying is related to the solvent which is added to the paint, which is of two kinds- oil solvents such as linseed oil and mineral spirits. When mixed with oil-based solvents, the paint becomes “fat”, while with mineral spirits it is “lean”. The rule is to always apply a layer of thick, “fat”, oil-based paint over a “lean” layer, which ensures that the thicker layer has ample time to dry. If one uses a lean layer over a fat layer, the coating underneath dries slower than that on the top, leading to cracks in the thin layer in the process.

“Thick over Thin”- Thicker coats of paint take longer to dry in comparison to thinner coats. Similar to the first rule, the second rule of oil painting suggests using heavier coats of paint over lighter coats, which ensures that the final artwork is not cracked by the delayed drying of a thicker layer placed beneath a thin layer of paint.

“Slow Drying Over Fast Drying”- Always use paints that take a long time to dry as the topmost layers of the oil painting. Using quick-drying paints as the layer over slow-drying shades can lead to the dreaded cracked appearance in your artwork. 

Q2. How can you tell if an oil painting is good?

The value of an oil painting or any other form of art rests greatly on the response of the audience and the aesthetic pleasure derived by them. Nonetheless, there are a few markers that separate a marvelous oil painting from the rest. They are- adherence to rules of proportion and perspective, a composition that fits the canvas pleasingly and shows an understanding of light and its effect on colors.

The layering of oil paints which is a distinctive quality of oil paintings should be even and the artwork should show a smooth finish. Besides, a clear presentation of the subject and its association with the previously established schools of oil painting are also sought after by art enthusiasts and collectors in a good oil painting. 

Q3. How long does an oil painting last?

The life of an oil painting spans several centuries, based on the quality of colors used, the spaces where the oil painting is kept, and the varnish with which the artwork is coated. When all these variables are favorable, an oil painting lives long while maintaining its exquisite artistic quality. 

Q4. What happens if you touch an oil painting?

It is not advisable to touch an oil painting since the dirt, oils and other particles on our hands can cause damage to the surface and colors in an oil painting. Scratches, smudges, and marks can appear on an oil painting if it comes regularly into contact with the human touch.  

Q5. How many layers can you put on an oil painting?

The number of layers used in an oil painting depends upon the artist and the subject matter they are portraying. Different artists prefer different numbers of coatings they use in an oil painting. 

Q6. What are the two methods of oil painting?

There are two main techniques of oil paintings- a) Wet on wet or Alla Prima, in which the canvases are coated with multiple layers of oil paints in different colors while the lower layers are wet, and b) Glazing, which involves a base, opaque layer on which multiple transparent layers of colors are applied to achieve a translucent effect that also adds color variations to the different sections of the painting, based on the thickness of the additional coating and the result of layering them with the opaque base.

Q7. Do oil paintings fade over time?

Owing to the exposure to the environment and time, oil paintings are susceptible to decay which is mostly visible in the faded colors of the paintings. To preserve an oil painting, it is advised to place them in a humidity and dust-free environment, with controlled sunlight exposure, and coat them with a good quality varnish.

Q8. Do oil paintings crack over time?

Yes, continued exposure to humidity, dirt, sunlight, and the overall fluctuations in the environment over long intervals of time makes the surface of oil paintings crack. Though appreciated by a group of art aficionados as a feature that makes oil paintings look antiquated, cracking of paint can cause irreplaceable damage to the artwork, because of which it is advised to take proper care of an oil painting. 

Q9. Is oil painting durable?

Yes, when kept in favorable conditions- protected from direct sunlight, away from dusty and humid spaces, and cleaned cautiously, oil paintings with their enchanting aesthetics are artworks made to last centuries. 

Q10. Do oil paintings ever fully dry?

Oil paintings are famous in the art sphere for the tediously long time the medium- oil paint, takes to dry. Some colors take longer periods to completely dry than others, techniques, humidity, temperature, and other factors also decide the time taken by oil paintings to fully dry, but eventually, the layers of oil paint do dry. 

Q11. Should oil paintings be behind glass?

If you want to protect an oil painting from the inevitable decay caused by the environment and time, you can place it behind glass. However, some people prefer to keep the artwork in its original state- with no frames or glasses, to preserve the aesthetic effect intended by the artist. Thus, it is for you to decide whether or not you want your oil paintings to be behind glass.