what is linseed oil used for in oil painting

Linseed oil is a medium commonly used in oil painting to change how paint behaves. It can be used to speed up or slow down drying time, change the pigment, and reduce the visibility of brush strokes. Linseed oil is made using flax seeds, which have been dried and pressed. There are many types of linseed oil used for a variety of different purposes, such as treating wood and in the production of linoleum flooring. The type used in painting is called refined linseed oil. Refined linseed oil is commonly used as a medium with oil paint, and it is the purest form available. Mixing refined linseed oil with oil paint will slow the drying time, causing the pigment to become more transparent and improving flow. When dry, oil paint used with refined linseed oil will have a glossy finish. Cold-pressed linseed oil is another type of linseed oil that is extracted without heat and is generally a better quality oil. It has a quicker drying time than refined linseed oil and will make pigments appear glossier.