Oil Painting Technique Question

Laine

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Oct 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/28/97

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Hello,

I once saw someone demonstrate a technique of oil painting in which the
paint was diluted to a very thin consistency and applied to the painting.
The finished painting consisted of many applications of diluted paint and
gave a rich look to the painting. I was told this technique was used by
some of the great masters, mainly to save on paint.

Does anyone know the name of this technique? Has anyone tried it?

Thanks,
Laine

Charles Eicher

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Oct 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/28/97

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Its called glazing and its a standard oil painting technique. Everyone has
variations on the theme. As I understand it, it was first used to paint
over "en grisaille", that is, the painting was first executed in tones of
grey, and once it had dried, a transparent "glaze" of colors were applied
over that, adding color to the toned B&W painting.

It is standard practice to add a transparent medium to oil paints (and
other media for that matter) but still, many people don't know about this,
and think they're supposed to apply the paint undiluted out of the tube, or
diluted with turpentine only. I highly suggest experimenting with oil
medium, you really won't have full control of the full range of oil
painting unless you learn how to use oil medium effectively.

Here's what I use for oil medium... Take a squeeze bottle (makes for
convenient application) and fill it about 1/4 full with thickened Stand
Oil. Then add about 1/4 linseed oil. Then almost fill the bottle with your
favorite turpentine, turpenoid, etc. Leave a little air in the bottle,
because you'll have to shake it up, and Stand Oil is really REALLY thick.
In fact, it should take a couple of days for the Stand Oil to dissolve
thoroughly, I keep a bottle "cooking" for a few days, while I use up
another bottle.

Keeping squeeze bottles around is very convenient. I keep two bottles, one
with turpentine (well, I use turpenoid) and one with medium. That way, I
can keep my medium thick and concentrated, and dilute it with turpentine if
I need it really weak..

Good luck with oil painting.. the basics are easy, but you can always
improve, and expand your abilities with experience and experimentation.

William Barkin

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Oct 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/28/97

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Winsor and Newton's Liquin has turned out to be an acceptable substitute glazing
medium to the classic recipe defined by Ralph Mayer in his book The Artist's
Handbook.

-Bill

Charles Eicher wrote:

> [snip]

Laine

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Oct 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/28/97

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Is the underpainting always done in black/white or gray? Can it also be
done in something such as burnt sienna or burnt umber?

Thanks,
Laine

William Barkin <wba...@bcn.net> wrote in article
<3456117A...@bcn.net>...

VKavanaugh

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Oct 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/28/97

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Hi Laine,

As an Oil painter, the technique is called glazing. Only transparent paints
are used. There is not alot of information written about it, but Helen Van
Wyk does have something in her book.
VKavanaugh

Charles Eicher

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Oct 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/28/97

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In article <01bce3ed$3620ba00$ca9fc9c7@Ptlaine>, "Laine" <tla...@jlc.net> wrote:

> Is the underpainting always done in black/white or gray? Can it also be
> done in something such as burnt sienna or burnt umber?

I recall seeing one book that recommended using Green Earth as an
underpainting.. In fact, they recommended doing a weak wash of green earth
over the entire white canvas, to take the edge off the white, and add
richness to warm colors applied over it. I tried it, it does nice things..

Most people I know use sienna or umber..

William Barkin

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Oct 29, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/29/97

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zi...@interport.net wrote:

> [snip]
> Do you know a living artist who can consistently draw perfectly enough
> to glaze within existing outlines?
>
> I don't.
> Gabriel

That's not the sole purpose for using glazes.

-Bill

Marilyn

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Oct 29, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/29/97

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zi...@interport.net wrote:
>
> cei...@inav.net (Charles Eicher) wrote:
> I have used liquin exclusively for some twenty years now. Usually
> together with oil paint, but sometimes to start a canvas fast, with
> color ground in liquin.
>
> I have found it an excellent medium and good for my purposes.
>
> As far as glazing is concerned. Any glazing I have ever done is sloppy
> glazing and liable to be covered up as things go along. So glazing
> difficulties don;t bother me.

>
> Do you know a living artist who can consistently draw perfectly enough
> to glaze within existing outlines?
>
> I don't.
> Gabriel

Hi Gabriel,

I read recently, (I could get you the reference if you really cared)
that only a beeswax medium will give you true glazes, because the pigment
is truly suspended and the painter has more control of it.
The author did not refer to it as "encaustic."

I am experimenting with it right now, layering the images on a wood
support. I like it.

Rob Porter

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Nov 1, 1997, 3:00:00 AM11/1/97

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VKavanaugh wrote in message
<19971028232...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...

Opaque paints may also be used turning the glaze into a frottie; a
semi-transparent paint layer. Use in the same way as a glaze to produce
misty
veil effects.

Glazes and frotties in fact may be produced by mechanical means,
ie rubbing paint into place with the fingers. This produces an exceptionally
thin layer of paint and gives you fine control over its transparency.

Hope this helps.
Robin.