What does "oiling out" typically involve?

Oiling out involves the application of a thin layer of oil onto dried paint. This technique is commonly used by artists to bring back the luster and depth of color in areas where the paint has dried matte, which can happen due to absorption of the oil by the underlying layers. By applying oil, the artist can enhance the vibrancy of the colors and create a consistent sheen across the painted surface. This process also helps in achieving better blending and layering, making the overall artwork more visually appealing.

In contrast, applying a thick layer of paint would likely result in texture and opacity, which is not the goal of oiling out. Using water as a medium is not appropriate for oil paints since oil and water do not mix; hence, this would undermine the properties of oils used in traditional painting techniques. Removing excess paint from the canvas does not align with the purpose of oiling out, which is more about revitalizing already dried paint rather than subtracting from the painting's surface.