Oil paint is extremely versatile since you can use it on many different materials. It’s also cherished for its deep colors and its ability to blend well. However, another characteristic of oil paints is that they take a long time to dry, which can be beneficial if you mix colors.
Still, on the downside, you have to be very patient if you are applying multiple layers of paint to your art. Whether you’re an experienced or novice artist who likes working with oil paints, it’s helpful to know the environment in which oil paint dries fastest. So, does oil paint dry faster in the heat or cold?
Does Oil Paint Dry Faster in the Heat or in the Cold? Well, Oil paint dries faster in the heat than in the cold. However, the time it takes to dry also depends on the type of oil in the paint, pigment, and pigment to oil ratio.
To learn different ways to dry oil paint faster, continue reading.
Table of Contents
Heat and Air Circulation Will Dry Your Oil Paint Faster
Oil paint dries faster in warm environments than it does in cooler climates. Unlike acrylics that dry when the moisture in the paint evaporates, oil paints dry by going through an oxidation process and hardening. This hardening happens slowly as a chemical reaction occurs in the oil paint.
The optimal condition for oil painting is a warm, dry environment that is well ventilated. The flow of air speeds up the oxidation process and hardens the paint. If possible, paint in a room that gets natural light and keep the windows open. If you live somewhere that is cold, turn the thermostat up if possible.
Unfortunately, it’s usually humid if you live in a hot climate, and humidity is not suitable for oil paints. Oil and water don’t play well together, after all.
Humid climates have moisture in the air, and oil paint dries faster in a dry environment. So, the humidity affects the drying process and may damage the painting. If you have a dehumidifier
, switch it on to create a less humid climate.
Speed Up the Drying Process With These Tips
Living in a cooler climate should not stop you from creating art with oil paints. While natural heat is ideal, there are other ways to dry the oil painting that you can try. There’s no one size fits all method, so play around to see which process works best for you. These are some of the common ones:
Switch On a Heater
The easiest way to dry an oil painting in a cold environment is to put it in a room and switch on a heater. If you use this method, make sure that the artwork is not too close to the heater and that the heater is warm rather than hot. If it is too hot, it can cause the paint to crack. Leave the heater on a medium setting overnight so that the oil paint can dry evenly.
Leave Your Oil Painting in the Car
A clever, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly trick is to leave your painting in the car. This method is particularly effective if your car is parked out in the sun or in a garage where it stays warm.
Cars tend to retain heat by their very nature, making them a perfect environment to dry paint. If your vehicle is parked outside in direct sunlight, it’s best to put your painting in the car when the sun starts to go down, as direct sunlight can damage the paint. I like to sit my paintings flat on the back seat or in the trunk.
Switch On a Fan
Airflow, or the movement of air, will speed up the process of your oil paint drying. To this end, turning on a fan will increase the rate at which the oil paint dries.
If you haven’t used your fan in a while or your room is particularly dusty, your fan might blow dust onto your paint. So, clean it and dust the room before switching on the fan. The last thing you need is dust particles blowing onto your painting, adding fuzzy dust and lint to your masterpiece.
Apply Thin Layers of Paint
Another trick for a faster drying time is to apply thinner layers of paint.
Thin layers of oil paint dry faster than thicker layers. Applying thin, one-coat layers is especially handy for the first few layers to cut down the time you need to wait before applying the next layer. If you must use a thick layer, this should be applied last and can be left to dry overnight.
Use Thinners
Thinners like turpentine and mineral spirits are excellent at drying oil paint. For best results, apply your thinner to the first few layers.
It will help the paint dry, and it will also bind the layers together more effectively. Don’t be too heavy-handed, though. You only need to apply a small amount, as too much can damage the painting.
Avoid These Common Mistakes When Drying Oil Paint
It’s understandable to feel impatient and want your oil painting to dry quickly, especially if you need to paint on additional layers. Take extra care, though, because you could potentially damage it in your rush to dry the oil paint.
Avoid some of these common mistakes that are likely to damage your painting:
Don’t Leave Your Oil Painting in Direct Sunlight
The sun is really not the best friend of oil painting. Never leave your oil painting in direct sunlight. Leaving a wet picture in the sun might seem like a good idea since heat dries oil paint faster, but direct heat can turn the colors yellow. Also, if the painting is in bright light, the top layer will likely harden first, leaving the base layers damp. This uneven drying can cause the paint to crack.
Don’t Try To Cut Down on Time by Using a Hairdryer
Many people are tempted to speed up the drying process using a hairdryer, but most experts don’t recommend this trick. Like direct sunlight, direct heat from a hairdryer will dry the top layer leaving the base layers wet. Some artists might also try to dry an oil painting by aiming the hairdryer at the back of the canvas, but the close range is still not a good idea.
Avoid Leaving the Oil Painting Outside or in Dusty Areas
Lastly, don’t leave your painting outside or in a dusty room. Dust, debris, or other particles will easily stick to the paint and are very difficult to remove. Always keep your oil painting inside in a well-ventilated room, away from the wind. Remember you have to let all layers dry; for more on this topic you can read our article on Does Oil Paint Always Need Two Coats?
WATCH – How to Make Oil Paint Dry Faster??
Julia oeuvre
Final Words
Oil paint dries faster in heat rather than cold. The perfect environment to dry an oil painting is a warm, dry, well-ventilated room. You can do several things to speed up the drying process, like turning on a heater and fan, leaving the painting in the car, applying the paint in thin layers, and using thinners.
Sources
- Jaejohns: Dry Oil Paint Faster: Best Way to Do it
- Popularask: Does Heat Make Oil Paint Dry Faster?
- The Dolphin Gallery: Does Oil Paint Dry Faster in Heat or Cold?
- Sara Paxton Artworks: How to Make Oil Paints Dry Faster
- My Sketch Journal: 9 Ways to Make Oil Paints Dry Faster