Alkyd paints were developed mainly for industrial and household applications and have received minor attention in the art conservation field. The conservation literature is still sparse on the chemistry, characterization, and stability of these materials and even more so on cleaning procedures and conservation recommendations. This does not mean that artists have not used them; rather, they have been (and still are) using them widely. The aims of this paper are to provide a general introduction to these paints and information on how they can be efficiently characterized in works of art, to discuss some of their stability issues, and to give simple recommendations for their conservation. Through a number of analytical techniques the characterization of artists’ alkyds and their drying, aging, and degradation processes are explored. On the basis of the information gained and from practical suggestions of conservators, basic guidelines are suggested with the hope that these can be tested and confirmed in the field.