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Oil painting is created on surfaces with pigments that are ground and mixed into a medium of oil - usually linseed oil but other oils such as poppy-seed and walnut are also used.

Popularity
Although not as popular as some methods of painting, oil paints have been used for hundreds of years and are still recognised as the premier painting medium.

Location
Oil painting can be done both indoors and outdoors, but is more commonly done inside where conditions can be controlled. Outside cine's can be painted inside using a previously done sketch and notes.

Age
Creating art is suitable for artists of all ages and abilities. Although young children are more suited to other mediums as oils are more difficult to use than other mediums, and can be messy.

Ability
When working with oils there are a few things that must be understood particularly that oils and thinners/brush cleaners can potentially be hazardous. A god idea would be to take an oil painting class to get introduced to the basics and requirements.

Description
Many artists today consider oil paint to be one of the fundamental art media. Oil paint does not dry very quickly, so it allows the artist to work on a painting over several sessions. Also oils are ideal for blending which allows the artist to achieve subtle colour blends.

Dedication
The process of oil painting varies from artist to artist, the artists' canvas is traditionally made from linen, but the less expensive cotton fabric has gained popularity recently. Oil paint is generally applied in layers, which is a skill that needs to be learnt by potential oil paint artists. Backgrounds would be the starting point with details painted in subsequent layers.

Potential
Oil paint is not the easiest medium to work with but it can bring the greatest of rewards with practise and perseverance.

Closely Related Activities
water colours, chalk, painting, sketching

Cost
A good set of brushes is an absolute must, plus a set of basic colour oils and canvas.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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