Artist's Secrets for Using Using Thick Paint Better

 
Recently an artist asked me why is using thick paint and textured brushwork desirable? How can one use this technique especially in large areas like the sky?

The approach of working from thin to thicker paint, working fat over lean, usually starts with a thin wash of oil paint with a good measure of spirits mixed in. Perhaps a medium like liquin mixed in. 

Then a layer of thicker paint over that one to develop the shapes further. Until the painting is done. Acrylics is worked in similar fashion using water to dilute the paint. The ability to use thick paint is something you can take advantage of.

It is an advantage because:

1. Thick paint and brush marks in the paint create texture;
2. Textured paint creates interest. From further off the play of light over the textured surface can add something. 
3. Colors alongside each other can fuse and create optical mixing. This atmospheric mixing of color in the painting is much like what happens outdoors.
4. When viewed closer the thick and thin paint take on an abstract quality. If done well this can be pleasing to the eye.
5. Brushmarks can enhance movement. For example direction lines in a road.
6. Abstract shapes allow the mind to fill in the details. In nature we do not see every leaf. But our mind delights in making up things to see.

Okay so how to do this? The following will help:

1. Bristle brushes rather than sable or soft synthetic. Long flats are good. Filberts too.
2. Larger size brushes: 6, 8 and 10 do the trick for most small to mid size panels.
3. A painting knife. A long and medium length work well. I prefer the rounded points to the sharper variety.
4. Smaller painting surfaces. Practice on 10"x 12" panels to get the most out of it. Large surfaces can waste paint and take longer to resolve.
5. Paint quicker. Add your favorite music to spur you on!

Choice of subject is important. A subject that has distinct light and darks. Shapes that are familiar and forgiving. Shrubs, trees, houses and such that you can suggest with flat shapes. A nice variety of light and shade works well.

General Process:

1. Do a preliminary sketch. A notan study helps too.
2. Squint and look for big shapes.
3. Use a limited palette of colors. The primaries, one or two others and white.
4. Premix your main colors to allow for quicker painting.
5. Block in your main shapes with the thin wash.
6. I like to prime my panel with a warm color first. Often this shows through in gaps and adds to the effect.
7. Keep your shadow areas thinner. Try not to use white paint in the shadows.
8. Now mid value and light areas can get the thicker paint. Butter on the paint and leave it alone. Resist the urge to smooth it out. It may not be perfect, but assess later. Then the next note of color and so on.
9. Larger brushstrokes and thicker paint in the foreground.
10. The sky can also be thick-ish. If it is smooth/flat it will look odd. Use thicker highlights on the sunlit clouds for example.
11. All the rules of color and value apply. Such as color temperature, atmospheric perspective and so on.
12. The idea is to lay down strokes of color (color notes) next to each other. Think mosaic.
13. Hold the brush parallel to the canvas when laying thick paint over underlayers. Be gentle to avoid mixing up the lower layers.
14. Step back often to look at the painting as a whole. It should come together better. Up close it should be kind of abstract.
15. Practice.

You can use the painting knife too. In fact this may be easier at first. The knife keeps the paint cleaner with less mixing of underlayers. Afterwards you will also enjoy using both brush and painting knife. 
If some areas look wrong, scrape the paint off. Go over the scraped area again. 

Muddy Paint? Have a look at these 12 Tips to Avoid Muddy Paint

Expect to make mistakes and have paintings that look like an abstract from far off too. Laugh and try again. I promise you when it clicks you will love it!

Watch a few videos of artists using the painterly approach. My top artist for this is Kevin Mapherson. For more adventurous painting look up Russian impressionist artists. They are wild and love the thick paint approach. Exciting work!
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Right - now your turn. Send me a pic of your work if you like. 

PS: Check out the video below for more tips. You can get more lessons on my course, Learn to Paint With Impact.

 

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