Oil Painting Techniques – Glazing
In this post, we will discuss the oil painting technique called “Glazing”. Included below are several videos as well as step by step tutorials and lessons from around the Web, that discuss and demonstrate the Glazing technique.
Glazing is the process of applying a thin layer of translucent or transparent oil paint over a dry opaque layer of oil paint, which creates an effect unlike any other.
Light travels through the transparent or translucent layer of oil paint and bounces off the opaque layer creating a sort of glowing effect that is very difficult to create with other oil painting techniques.
The effect is known as “Optical Color Mixing”. Colors are not mixed together physically on a palette or canvas, but are instead mixed optically through the various layers of glazes.
Oil Painting Video Lesson – Alla Prima Oil Painting Technique
Alla Prima Oil Painting Technique – A Video Tutorial by Larry Seiler
Here is a wonderful oil painting video lesson for beginners by artist Larry Seiler that demonstrates the All Prima Oil Painting Technique.
Alla Prima is an Italian word that literally means “At Once”. Its a painting that is completed in one session. This is a direct painting method that produces a fresh and spontaneous look to your work. I love this style of painting because it allows me to get loose and just let go and have fun, which is exactly what Larry does in the following video tutorial.
He begins his Alla Prima painting session by mixing his colors ahead of time on his palette. He says this eliminates a lot of his decisions in advance and allows him to establish a color harmony that will work for his painting. Another advantage of pre-mixing his colors is that his focus is on the subject that he is painting and not on color mixing.
After his colors are prepared, he then creates a basic sketch using some vine charcoal.
Wet on Wet Oil Painting Technique – Bill Alexander Paints Fall River
The wet on wet oil painting technique is a direct painting technique where you complete a painting usually in one sitting. Wet oil paint is applied on top of another layer of wet paint.
In the following video demonstration, artist Bill Alexander paints a beautiful autumn scene using the wet on wet technique. Bill is a modern pioneer being one of the first artists to popularize the wet on wet oil painting technique through his Emmy award winning Magic of Oil painting television show.
Watch the master at work below. If you would like to learn more about Bill Alexander, be sure to visit his Website here or you can check out his YouTube Page here for more of his videos.
Bill Alexander paints Fall River Part 1
Oil Painting Technique – How To Tone a Canvas
Toning Your Canvas For Oil Painting
Learn the proper way to tone your canvas in preparation for oil paints with this free video demonstration. Toning your canvas before beginning a painting is a very popular oil painting technique, but there is definitely a right and a wrong way to do it. In the following video, artist Don Stewart demonstrates his method for toning his canvas before he completes a painting. Don combines a mixture of medium and solvent to his oil paint to get it nice and thin before applying it to his canvas. After allowing that to dry for several minutes, he then wipes away the excess with a clean rag. The result is a nicely toned canvas with a luminous quality to it. Enjoy this oil painting demonstration!
Color Mixing Tutorials & Resources For Oil Paints
One of the biggest challenges for artists just starting out with oil painting is mixing colors. Color is a powerful tool. If handled improperly, things can become quite messy. Improperly mixed colors lead to muddy or unbalanced paintings. The good news is, with practice, you will become more skilled at mastering color in your oil paintings. I have collected a number of color mixing tutorials below including links to articles, videos and books. I hope you find these oil painting color mixing resources helpful.
VIDEOS:
How to Mix Colors for Oil Paints
Oil Painting Tips – How To Keep Your Colors Pure
BE CLEAN AND ORGANIZED
I know for some of us, it can be very difficult to maintain a clean and organized painting environment. Sometimes we can get very caught up in our work and things can get sloppy. The last thing you want is to become a sloppy painter as your work will suffer. Break the habit early and try your hardest to develop clean and organized painting habits. Read more
Oil Painting Technique – How To Paint a Leaf Tree With Wilson Bickford
In this oil painting video lesson for beginners, artist Wilson Bickford demonstrates how to paint leaf trees using a 1 inch foliage brush. Starting with a canvas that has been pre-painted with a blue sky, Wilson applies a dark green foliage made up of Sap Green, Ultramarine Blue and just a bit of Burnt Sienna to dull and darken the mixture.
Wilson states that the Burnt Sienna takes some of the “Greeniness” out of the green, which can make the tree look unnatural. After the first application of dark green paint, Wilson then demonstrates how to apply highlights to the tree. For the highlights he uses a mixture of Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow and a touch of Sap Green to create a light and bright mixture that he dabs over the darker color. These oil painting techniques that Wilson Demonstrates in this video are very reminiscent of Bob Ross Painting Techniques, of which I am a big fan. Enjoy the video!
Oil Painting Technique – How To Paint a Leaf Tree With Wilson Bickford
Oil Painting Technique – Painting Drips and Drops – Part #2
How to paint water drops on a horizontal surface in four easy steps. By Karin Wells
This little 8″ x 10″ painting has a lot of water drops. I like to add fun (and fast) details to a dry painting surface at the end.
I posted the largest file allowed for this so you could see better detail if you click on the above picture.
Oil Painting For Beginners – Painting Drips and Drops By Karin Wells
About Karin
Karin Wells is an artist of amazing versatility. She graduated with honors from both the New England School of Art and Design, Boston, 1965, and the Butera School of Art, Boston, 1986. Karin has enjoyed a career as an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator and sign painter. She also taught Life Drawing and Painting for many years. She has most recently studied for three years at The New England School of Classical Painting in Greenfield, New Hampshire, under the direction of Numael Pulido.
To expand her craft, Karin has traveled throughout Europe studying the Old Masters. Her art reflects the deep influence of these great works. Karin demonstrates a remarkable facility for likeness and for the use of light.
The artist is a member of The American Society of Portrait Artists, Portrait Society of America, The Portrait Society of Atlanta, and The Copley Society of Boston.
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