Hold the painting at an angle and look at the paint's texture on the canvas. If it's highly textured and looks very layered, the painting is likely an oil painting. Acrylic paint dries smooth and somewhat rubbery-looking (unless an additive has been used to give the paint a thicker texture).
Craquelure. The front of a painting can also provide further evidence as to its authenticity as an old work. For example, old oil (and tempera) paintings will exhibit a fine pattern of cracks, known as craquelure. It's worth examining these closely to see if they feel natural or artificially aged.
Rub the wall with paper towel or a cotton ball soaked in acetone, or nail polish remover that contains acetone. If the paint comes off on to the cotton ball, it's latex. If not, it's oil.
Go to the Apple or Android app. store to download SMARTIFY. Open the app. and hold your phone's camera up to a portrait to “scan” the work of art.
Run the search to pull up other websites displaying the painting. This will give you access to a variety of websites that will tell you everything you need to know about the painting. If you're using Google Chrome, you can right click an image and select “Search Google for this image” to search the web.
Distinguishing a Print from a Painting
A clear difference between a print and a painting is the texture of the surface. Paintings typically have raised brushstrokes. The dots of ink on the print are flat. You can also find signs of the artist's work on original paintings.
Oil paints will have a slight yellow tinge to them due to the colour of the oil (think of olive oil) As oil dries over time through the process of oxidation additional yellowing takes place. This varies in degree depending on the binder used in the paint.
To find out, dab some denatured alcohol* on a cotton ball and rub it on the door. If it comes off, it's water-based. If it doesn't, it's oil-based. If your door is painted with a water-based paint, give it a good sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper.
Another big “No No”, is rubbing alcohol. Yes, it may clean a spot or smudge but it will also take the paint right off.
While traditionally, oil paintings have been valued higher, many acrylic paintings by renowned artists command high prices in the art market.
The easiest way to remove a thin layer of dust, grime or residue is with a soft cloth and soapy water. Due to its low pH level and mild properties, olive oil-based soap is often considered the most effective soap to use. Make sure you don't use anything that contains alcohol as this could remove some of the paint.
Popular with artists for hundreds of years, oil paints have been the go-to medium for some of the most renowned painters in history.
Acrylic paint tends to be more vibrant in color due to its fast dry time, while oil may be more murky. If the edges of the shapes on your painting are crisp and sharp, it is likely an acrylic painting. Oil paint's long drying time and tendency to blend give it softer edges.
Oleographs are prints designed to resemble oil paintings in style, with close similarities to the artistic techniques of oil paintings. Oleography was widely used in the late 19th century, and involved the process of chromolithography, using a range of between 15-20 colours.
You can use any color to brighten up your front entrance, but we especially love vibrant shades of yellow and green to really amp up the friendly welcome.
If you put latex paint over oil, you'll end up with that fruit roll-up look all over your house because they just can't adhere.
Why is oil-based paint illegal? Oil-based paint is not universally illegal but is regulated in some areas due to its high volatile organic compound (VOC) content, which can be harmful to the environment and human health.
Acrylic paints are known for their bright and bold colours. They also have a matte finish unless a gloss medium is added to them. On the other hand, oil paints have a more subdued and natural colour palette. They can take a long time to dry, but this allows artists to blend and layer colours more easily.
The Alcohol Test – First, gently wash a section of your wall with a light detergent mixed in warm water, then dry the spot with a clean towel. Finally, rub a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol over the area. If the paint comes off, you have latex-based paint. If it does not, you have oil-based.
Untreated, or right out of the tube, oil paints usually dry to a semi-gloss that will stay looking “wetter” than most of acrylics will. Thicker paint will be glossier. Mixing a thinner or medium can adjust the finish of an oil painting up to a high gloss or down to a matte finish, but it won't be perfectly even.
Oil paintings will alway demand higher pricing because oil is a very difficult medium to become proficient with, and usually it will take the artist much longer to complete a piece. Also, the cost of paints, brushes and canvas is quite an investment. Brushes for oil can run into the hundreds of dollars.