What is the primary purpose of drying oils in oil painting?

The primary purpose of drying oils in oil painting is to decrease drying times. Drying oils, such as linseed oil, undergo a chemical reaction known as oxidation when exposed to air. This allows them to transform from a liquid state to a solid state, thereby facilitating the drying process of oil paints. By incorporating drying oils into their medium, artists can achieve a more efficient workflow, as the paint will set more quickly on the canvas compared to using a non-drying oil.

While other factors such as thickness and blending ability can be influenced by the medium used in oil painting, these are not the primary functions of drying oils. The main benefit lies in the enhancement of drying time, allowing artists to layer, work wet-into-wet, or make adjustments to their paintings more readily.