Why Oil Paint Dries Dull—and How to Prevent It

Have you ever started a painting that looked rich and vibrant—only to have it dry with dull, matte patches? That frustrating problem is called “sinking in,” and today, we’re breaking down what causes it—and how to stop it.

In this video, George O’Hanlon of Painting Best Practices explains how absorbent grounds, overuse of solvents, and certain pigments like umbers and blacks contribute to the loss of gloss and depth in oil painting. You’ll learn how to reduce sinking in through better surface preparation, medium control, and pigment handling—plus get a visual metaphor that’s hard to forget.

🎨 Prefer to fix a painting that’s already gone matte? Watch our next video: How to Fix Dull Spots in Oil Paintings: Correcting Sinking In

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Why does oil paint lose its gloss?
01:00 What is “sinking in”?
01:40 How sinking in impacts tone, saturation, and harmony
02:10 Cause #1: Overly absorbent grounds
02:50 How to prep surfaces properly
03:20 Cause #2: Excess solvent use
03:50 Bodied oils and the “shower drain” metaphor
04:30 Cause #3: Problem pigments (umbers, blacks)
05:00 How to adjust for these pigments
05:30 Layering, drying, and why polymerization matters
06:00 Watch next: How to correct sunken-in areas
06:20 Final recap: prevention through better prep, mediums, and pigment use

Tags
#oilpainting #paintingtips #oilpaintingtutorial ,#artmaterials #sinkingin #oilpaintingprocess