oil over photograph

[sane]

What "oil over photograph" exactly means when describing a painting?

[emsr2d2]

What "oil over photograph" exactly means when describing a painting?

I have no idea. I could guess but that would be pointless.

Please give us the full context in which you saw the phrase, as well as the entire sentence it was contained in.

[SoothingDave]

I imagine it means someone took a photograph of something and then used oil paints to paint on top of the picture.

Which seems kind of like cheating.

[sane]

I think I have given you more than the full context! It's from the fourth edition of the American Heritage Dictionary. Under some illustrations (especially of celebrities) it says, "oil over a photograph". For example, on page 698, under a portrait of Franco. I understand one can create a portrait following a photograph instead of a live person or model. But why will one draw or paint a portrait over a photograph? That's why I am confused. Maybe this is a technical term artistic painters use for a certain kind of art work.

[emsr2d2]

I think I have given you more than the full context! It's from the fourth edition of the American Heritage Dictionary. Under some illustrations (especially of celebrities) it says, "oil over a photograph". For example, on page 698, under a portrait of Franco. I understand one can create a portrait following a photograph instead of a live person or model. But why will one draw or paint a portrait over a photograph? That's why I am confused. Maybe this is a technical term artistic painters use for a certain kind of art work.

It might be a particular technique though I've searched a few art technique websites and can't find any mention of it. As SoothingDave said, it sounds a bit like cheating!

[bhaisahab]

I think I have given you more than the full context! .

No you haven't.