--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Oil paints were wiser to the human…" description: "\"“Oil paints were wiser to the human condition, understanding our imperfections and giving us enough time to rework ourselves until we made things right..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/s-walden-17742_artist_oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condi_178244.jpg" --- # Oil paints were wiser to the human condition… ![“Oil paints were wiser to the human condition, understanding our imperfections and giving us enough time to rework ourselves until we made things right.” quote by S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/s-walden-17742_artist_oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condi_178244.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/s-walden-17742_artist_oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condi_178244.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/s-walden-17742_artist_oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condi_178244.jpg) > ““Oil paints were wiser to the human condition, understanding our imperfections and giving us enough time to rework ourselves until we made things right.”” [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Oil painting allows time to recognize flaws and revise work, offering a forgiving process unlike immediate judgment. **In simple terms:** Painting gives space to correct mistakes over time. Key Takeaway Embrace processes that allow iterative improvement. Themes art creativity self‑improvement patience reflection Mood thoughtful inspired Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - studio work - personal growth - project development Key Concepts visual arts human condition learning cycles Questions to Reflect On - How does patience affect creative outcomes? - What can other disciplines learn from this iterative approach? A Different Perspective Not all fields permit such gradual correction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Enough time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough-time/) [Human condition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-condition/) [Oil Paints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oil-paints-1360997/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Paints Wiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paints-wiser-1912919/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Understanding Imperfections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding-imperfections-1912921/) [Wiser Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wiser-human-1912920/) ## Related quotes > [The light is really the most important thing, so if you don't have skylights and if you don't have north light, this is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-coupey/the-light-is-really-the-most-important-thing-so-if-you-don-t-have/) [Pierre Coupey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-coupey/) > [“The old master oil paintings were usually done in transparent oil colors on top of a black-and-white underpainting, which was often painted in egg…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-o-zelinsky/the-old-master-oil-paintings-were-usually-done-in-transparent-oil/) [Paul O. Zelinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-o-zelinsky/) > [I was always doing paintings. I actually started painting with oil paints when I was four years old. Not crayons, not pencils and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-laffoley/i-was-always-doing-paintings-i-actually-started-painting-with-oil/) [Paul Laffoley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-laffoley/) > [My father had wanted to be a commercial artist. He got as far as being a photographer in the army in World War II,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-salle/my-father-had-wanted-to-be-a-commercial-artist-he-got-as-far-as-being/) [David Salle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-salle/) > [oil paints...the look of licked lips.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/oil-paints-the-look-of-licked-lips/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [... to paint with oil paints for the first time ... is like trying to make something exquisitely accurate and microscopically clear out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/to-paint-with-oil-paints-for-the-first-time-is-like-trying-to-make/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [“If you say something over and over again, it begins to lose it's meaning... Say anything enough times and it becomes gibberish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/if-you-say-something-over-and-over-again-it-begins-to-lose-it-s/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [We live a short enough time on this earth. A man should do what he loves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-tsukiyama/we-live-a-short-enough-time-on-this-earth-a-man-should-do-what-he/) [Gail Tsukiyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-tsukiyama/) > [“Artists are never poor, they just don't get enough time to make money !”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brahmananda-patra/artists-are-never-poor-they-just-don-t-get-enough-time-to-make-money/) [Brahmananda Patra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brahmananda-patra/) > [Man: You are all going to live... (Smith family cheers) Man: ... for 24 more hours. Which is just enough time for you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/american-dad/man-you-are-all-going-to-live-smith-family-cheers-man-for-24-more/) [American Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/american-dad/) > [When you're frustrated with people, when they've made you angry, it just may be because you haven't given them enough time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/when-you-re-frustrated-with-people-when-they-ve-made-you-angry-it/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [“If you spend too much time thinking about doing something, you won’t ever have enough time to experience it or feel it. And feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-lister/if-you-spend-too-much-time-thinking-about-doing-something-you-won-t/) [Ann Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-lister/) > [Lots of relationships fail because we spend more time pointing out each other's mistakes and not enough time enjoying each other's company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lots-of-relationships-fail-because-we-spend-more-time-pointing-out/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God, you had enough time to have been through it three times. You've been through my stuff. I bet you over and let one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/god-you-had-enough-time-to-have-been-through-it-three-times-you-ve/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [If I died If I died tonight would you notice? Would you even care? If I died tonight would you find it humorous? Would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-died-if-i-died-tonight-would-you-notice-would-you-even-care-if-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by S. Walden > [“I don't know. It's the world we live in, I guess. Some things will never be fair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-don-t-know-it-s-the-world-we-live-in-i-guess-some-things-will-never/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“I thought if I stared a little longer I could see right inside his head, to his brain, and I don’t know why that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-thought-if-i-stared-a-little-longer-i-could-see-right-inside-his/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“I expect the world from you, as I should, because you’re amazing and talented and funny and sweet. You’re sexy as hell and clever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-expect-the-world-from-you-as-i-should-because-you-re-amazing-and/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“You know what I mean,” I said. “You want to be the mother who all the other mothers gossip about? Like about how bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/you-know-what-i-mean-i-said-you-want-to-be-the-mother-who-all-the/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“She danced with complete abandon. She never felt so light and free. She could stretch her arms forever, touch the heavens and pull down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/she-danced-with-complete-abandon-she-never-felt-so-light-and-free-she/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“He wanted into her life. He was dying to be invited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/he-wanted-into-her-life-he-was-dying-to-be-invited/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“Well that was decided. This was more than a silly schoolgirl crush. This was a deeply disturbing infatuation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/well-that-was-decided-this-was-more-than-a-silly-schoolgirl-crush/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“I knew life moments happened that way. They made no sense, and I didn’t think we were supposed to make them. I think we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-knew-life-moments-happened-that-way-they-made-no-sense-and-i-didn-t/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“It’s always described as melting, and I finally understood why. I thought my body was turning to liquid. I could feel my bones giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/it-s-always-described-as-melting-and-i-finally-understood-why-i/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“I realized I needed to look at evil in an entirely new light. Most bad guys weren’t running around with eyes bugged out. Most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-realized-i-needed-to-look-at-evil-in-an-entirely-new-light-most-bad/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“Love is when you're with someone and you never check the time because for you, time doesn't exist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/love-is-when-you-re-with-someone-and-you-never-check-the-time-because/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“People grow and change. You have to choose to grow and change together. It doesn't mean the feeling isn't still there. You just have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/people-grow-and-change-you-have-to-choose-to-grow-and-change-together/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“Jesus Christ . . .” And I never say “Jesus Christ.” “No, Cadence. My name is Mark Connelly. And I’m about to give you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/jesus-christ-and-i-never-say-jesus-christ-no-cadence-my-name-is-mark/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“Yes, these are the thoughts that occupy my brain on a daily basis: How many steps to take. How many hairbrush strokes. Making sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/yes-these-are-the-thoughts-that-occupy-my-brain-on-a-daily-basis-how/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“The first contact of brush on canvas is a heady thing. I think it's the promise of something wonderful, beautiful. You can see the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/the-first-contact-of-brush-on-canvas-is-a-heady-thing-i-think-it-s/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) [Explore all 36 S. Walden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Oil paints were wiser to the human condition, understanding our imperfections and giving us enough time to rework ourselves until we made things right.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "S. Walden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condition-understanding-our/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Artist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condition-understanding-our/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/s-walden-17742_artist_oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condi_178244.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/s-walden-17742_artist_oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condi_178244.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/s-walden-17742_artist_oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condi_178244.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Oil paints were wiser to the human condition, understanding our imperfections and giving us enough time to…” — S. Walden", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "S. Walden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Oil paints were wiser to the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condition-understanding-our/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condition-understanding-our/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```