How Many Times Can You Oil Out a Painting?

An isolation coat is necessary to separate the paint from the varnish, protecting the surface of the painting. This buffer ensures that the varnishing process doesn’t do any damage, but how many times can you oil out your painting before you do more harm than good?

You can oil out your painting a few times, depending on how even the sheen is. Getting the isolation coat on correctly on the first try is possible. Still, your painting may sometimes need to be oiled out two or three times for that perfect finish before you can finally apply the varnish.

This article will focus on the importance of oiling out and varnishing your paintings and how to apply the isolation coat properly. It will also provide a list of materials that can hopefully be helpful to you on your artistic journey: How Many Times Can You Oil Out a Painting?

The Importance of Oiling out A.K.A. Isolation Coat

The first thing to note is that the isolation coat is clear and non-removable. It’s an extra layer applied on top of the painting under the varnish. Oiling out your painting greatly helps in preserving your work. 

You might need to oil out your paintings for many reasons, including evening out flat spots and sunken areas and saturating the colors to restore the dull ones. Colors tend to either fade out or pop out after the paint has dried, so this extra layer between the paint and the varnish is essential as it also helps restore the original colors of the piece. 

Applying the isolation coat helps even out the finish of your painting so that it looks finer when you put the varnish on. Remember, the coat can only be applied after the paint is fully dry. 

Oiling out your painting also allows you to add additional layers of paint to the painting after it has dried. 

Keep in mind that the thicker the paint, the longer it takes to dry. The best way to test if your painting has properly dried is to press your nail gently into one of the thicker blobs.

Oil Out Your Painting the Right Way

First and foremost, your painting needs to be touch-dry before you start the process of oiling it out.

1. Take a paper towel, dip it in, or drop the oil on it. You can also use a lint-free rag or a soft cotton cloth. 
2. Gently move the towel with oil onto the painting in a circular motion. On the other hand, you can use a brush to gently and evenly stroke the coating. Try to spread the coat as evenly as you can all over the painting, and take care not to scrub the oil on. 

You can also dilute the oil with odorless mineral spirits. Try to spread the oil thinly because if you apply too much or have it too thick, it will take much more time to dry. Generally, you should wait one to three days before applying the varnish. 

Precautions to Take Before Oiling Out Your Painting

Despite how necessary it is to apply the isolation coat to your artwork, you should watch out for a few things.

• Always follow the instructions to prevent things from going badly and risk ruining your work or having to do things over again. 
• Make sure to mix the coat with water (if it needs water) in the right way and right amounts; otherwise, you might see foam and bubbles start to form.

• When using the brush, keep at it until you have an even surface; otherwise, you might notice brushstrokes that can take away from the quality of the work.
• You might also notice a change in the color and texture of your painting after oiling. That’s why you might need to use it more than once. But remember that it is non-removable and apply cautiously.
• Some advice against using an isolation coat for oil paintings; however, other artists do that. So, in the end, it’s up to you.
• Finally, please remember that art materials might contain toxins. Always work in a well-ventilated place, read all the warning signs, and keep out of reach of children. 

Never Forget To Varnish

It’s crucial to varnish a painting for preservation as it ensures that your artwork can survive decades without deterioration and helps keep the colors as you intended them.

However, you might sometimes need to remove the varnish coating. If you haven’t oiled out your painting before applying the varnish, you risk damage to the colors and the texture. 

Some people agree that you should not apply varnish to your paintings before around six months of drying. Others disagree and claim you can use the varnish after about a week. 

Remember that varnish is a coat that won’t allow your painting to breathe anymore, so if the colors or the paint need more time to process, give them that time. You can also apply spot varnishes for certain areas while leaving others for later.

Options You Can Consider to Oil Out Your Painting

There are many items to choose from depending on where you are and what is available to you. Below is a list of some isolation coats that might be helpful to you if you need to oil out your painting: 

• US Art Supply Linseed Oil (available on Amazon.com): This liquid is the most commonly used by artists. It can be added directly to the painting to make colors glossy and fluid. 
• US Art Supply Liquin (available on Amazon.com): This is an odorless mineral spirit that thins and blends well for oiling.
• 3M Gamblin Stand Linseed Oil (available on Amazon.com): This product is more viscous than refined linseed oil and is designed for glazing. 
• Golden Store Colors Isolation Coat (available on Amazon.com): This product is thinner than usual and is meant to be applied multiple times. It is only available in gloss. 

Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Final Words

You can oil out your painting two or three times depending on your preference and what is needed at the time. Always let your paint dry fully before applying the isolation coat. Oiling out your paintings when they dry is essential, as this will retain their vibrant colors and help protect them from damage if you want to remove the varnish.