In early modern Europe, oil painting used oil as medium for painting commonly linseed oil. Poppyseed oil, walnut oil and safflower oil were also used. Less yellowing as well as differences in drying times were the result of these oils used in different properties in the oil paint. Drying of the oil usually requires weeks.

During the High Middle Ages, oil painting was intended for decorative or functional purposes. Durability in the surfaces like shields either used in tournaments or decorations proved to be more durable when painted in oil compared to those painted in traditional tempera.

The 15th century Northern European painters were recognized by Renaissance sources as the founders of oil painting on wood panel. The name of Jan van Eyck was credited as the forerunner. The necessity for a medium that is durable on water paved the way for the popularity of the medium during the 16th century in Venice.
Recent developments in the field of chemistry led to the production of modern water soluble oil paints which can be used with, and cleaned up in, water. Small changes in the molecular structure of the oil results to the miscibility in water.

Different artists have their own processes in oil painting but oftentimes they include steps. The first step is surface preparation. Commonly, canvas is the surface being used but linoleum, wooden panels and cardboard have also been used. The thick fibers of the canvas helps in the adherence of the pigment.

After the surface preparation, gesso application is the next step. Applying gesso makes the surface more readily capable of accepting the pigment. Traditionally, a gesso is composed of finely-grounded chalk or gypsum combined with glue but recent gessos use acrylic bindery. Several layers of gesso might be used but each is sanded until smooth after the application has dried.

A “cartoon” or outline of the target figure is drawn. Application of the pigment to the surface now begins. Mixing the linseed oil and the pigment proceeds. Once the oil becomes dry, assorted effects are creayed. The traditional practice was for the artist to mix paints for every project. It was only in the late 1800’s when using tube became available.

Applying the paint using the brush is more often. To achieve different aspects, brushes were made from variety of fibers. Using the palette knife with a flat, metal blade is also an alternative. When necessary, removing paint can be removed from the canvass is also done. Fingers are sometimes also used by painters.
Layers are used by most artists when painting. Before it is left to dry prior to applying details, the background is laid down first. The main figure can be tinted using broad colors. When the layer has been dried, the broad colors are enriched with darker tones for shadows, light colors for highlights, and intricacies. Proper layering of the paint may take weeks or even months for a classical work. Impressionists blended canvas and the wet paint. When the image has been completed, the work of art is sealed with a layer of lacquer or varnish.