Oil paints have been used to create masterpieces for centuries, and continue to be valued highly for the vivid colors they produce, and the distinct contrast and natural sheen that can be found in works created using oils. Oil paints take weeks to dry, meaning that an artist can keep working on and developing a painting over some time – so that the finished work contains the thoughts and sights of a prolonged period of time. Waiting in between layers is not always necessary, though; the beauty of Impressionist works lies partly in the way the Impressionists used the alla prima method of painting to permit the wet colors to blend, creating subtle color combinations that contribute so important to the famous paintings that captured the essence of a scene. Many artists and collectors feel that oil paints give a unique richness to a finished piece. Take a look at our oil paintings for sale to understand what they mean, and imagine how one of these original works would look on your wall.