oil-painting
Definition
- Noun:
- A painting created using oil-based pigments: "oil-painting" refers to a work of art produced by mixing pigments with a drying oil, such as linseed oil, and applying it to a surface like canvas or wood.
- The technique or art of painting with oils: "oil-painting" can also denote the method or craft of creating such works, characterized by its rich colors, slow drying time, and ability to create texture.
Usage Examples
As a physical artwork:
- The museum displayed a stunning oil-painting from the 17th century. (A specific artwork made with oil paints.)
- She bought an oil-painting of a landscape to hang in her living room. (A tangible piece of art.)
As a technique or art form:
- He studied oil-painting at the art academy for three years. (The skill or discipline of painting with oils.)
- Oil-painting allows for subtle blending of colors due to its slow drying time. (The method itself.)
Advanced Usage
"To be like an oil-painting": (informal) to be very beautiful or picturesque, often used to describe a person or scene.
- At sunset, the lake looked like an oil-painting. (The scene was exceptionally beautiful, resembling a painted work.)
"Oil-painting in the style of": a phrase used to describe an artwork that mimics the techniques of a particular artist or period.
- This is an oil-painting in the style of Rembrandt. (The painting uses techniques characteristic of that artist.)
Variants and Related Words
Oil paint (n): the actual pigment-and-oil mixture used in oil-painting.
- He squeezed fresh oil paint onto his palette. (The material used to create an oil-painting.)
Oil painter (n): an artist who specializes in creating oil-paintings.
- The oil painter worked slowly to perfect the details. (A practitioner of the technique.)
Oil painting (n): a common variant spelling without the hyphen; the meaning is identical.
Synonyms
- Canvas: a painting (often oil-based) on a canvas support.
- The artist sold several canvases at the gallery. (Oil-paintings on canvas.)
- Masterpiece: a particularly outstanding oil-painting.
- That oil-painting is considered his masterpiece. (A work of exceptional quality.)
Related Idioms
- To be no oil-painting: (British informal) to be unattractive in appearance.
- He was no oil-painting, but he had a charming personality. (He was not physically handsome.)
- To paint in oils: to use the oil-painting technique.
- She prefers to paint in oils rather than watercolors. (She chooses the oil method.)