The primary problem when a painting sits and dries for a few months is that the oil paint layer becomes hard. I highly recommend Windsor & Newton's Oil Painting Medium for this situation, and the recommended process is called "oiling out". Windsor & Newton's product is unique for containing Stand Oil.
Some suggest Gamblin's product, but it tends to yellow over time, and I am not a fan of Galkyd Oil Painting Medium for "oiling Out" at all.
If the painting has been sitting for two or three weeks, brush on the medium, let it sit for 5 to 7 minutes, then use high-quality 100% grade cheesecloth from Amazon to remove the excess oil. This softens the oil, allowing it to grip the paint layer to properly adhere to it for the next application.
I've had to employ this technique while painting the president for the Smithsonian, where the process extended over several months. It has become a common practice for me in oil painting in recent years and adds depth as a form of glazing—a technique lost since the time of Van Eyck, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and the French Academy of the 19th century.
Stand Oil minimizes the yellowing effect inherent in all oils used in oil painting. Therefore, only Windsor & Newton's product is effective in ensuring adhesion and preventing yellowing, a common practice in oil painting for centuries, not just in recent years.
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