Drying oil paintings faster requires balancing airflow, heat, and proper materials while avoiding damage. Here are some effective methods:

1. Use Fast-Drying Oil Paints & Mediums

✔ Alkyd-based paints (e.g., Winsor & Newton Griffin Alkyd) dry much faster than traditional oils.
✔ Mix alkyd mediums (e.g., Liquin, Galkyd) into your paint to speed up drying.
✔ Choose fast-drying pigments (e.g., umber, cobalt, manganese-based colors). Avoid slow-drying ones like titanium white and cadmium colors.

2. Improve Airflow & Ventilation

✔ Place the painting in a well-ventilated area with good airflow. A fan can help circulate air.
✔ Keep the painting in a dry, warm environment, as humidity slows drying.

3. Increase Temperature (Gently!)

✔ Keep the painting in a warm room (65–75°F / 18–24°C).
✔ Use a heat lamp or infrared lamp, but don’t overheat to avoid cracking.
✔ Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause uneven drying and yellowing.

4. Paint in Thin Layers

✔ Apply thin layers of paint instead of thick impasto, as thin layers dry faster.
✔ Use more solvents (like turpentine or odorless mineral spirits) in underpaintings, as they evaporate quickly.

5. Use an Absorbent Painting Surface

✔ Painting on an oil-primed linen or acrylic-primed canvas helps absorb oil and speeds up drying.
✔ Avoid non-porous surfaces that slow drying.

6. Drying Agents & Driers (Use with Caution!)

✔ Add a cobalt or manganese drier (e.g., Cobalt Siccative) in small amounts to speed up oxidation.
✔ Be cautious—overuse can cause cracking or uneven drying.

What to Avoid:
❌ Don’t put wet paintings in cold, damp, or closed-off spaces.
❌ Don’t use a hairdryer—it only dries the surface but not the deeper layers.
❌ Don’t rush with too many driers, as it can lead to cracks later.

Would you like advice on a specific painting or drying issue? 😊