If you’re just starting out with oil paints or want to expand your skills, these five key techniques are a great place to begin. Learning them will help you handle oil paint better and create lively, expressive art with real depth. Here’s a look at each technique, what it involves, and why it’s useful for beginners.
1. Underpainting
What is it? Underpainting means starting your painting with a single color or a few simple colors. I suggest using earth tones like Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine, thinned with white spirits or your favorite medium. This helps you quickly set up the main shapes and values in your painting. Why is it important? Beginning with an underpainting takes away the fear of a blank canvas and helps guide your painting. It lets you plan your design early and make changes before adding color, so your finished piece feels balanced and harmonious. 2. Glazing What is it? Glazing means brushing a see-through layer of color, made by mixing medium with transparent paint, over dry parts of your painting. While this technique is often associated with the Old Masters, you can use it in impressionist painting, too. For example, you might warm up cool areas with transparent yellow, but avoid adding white, since that would turn it into a tint. Why is it important? Glazing lets you change the warmth or coolness of colors, add depth, and create gentle changes in mood or atmosphere. It’s also great for fixing colors later on without hiding the details you’ve already painted. 3. Alla Prima What is it? Alla prima, which means “at first attempt” in Italian, is when you finish your painting in one sitting while the paint is still wet. This approach brings energy and spontaneity to your art, making it ideal for small paintings and practice pieces. Why is it important? Painting alla prima helps you become more confident and decisive. You’ll get better at seeing and mixing colors, making bold brushstrokes, and enjoying the expressive nature of oil paint. 4. Impasto What is it? Impasto is when you put paint on thickly so you can see the marks from your brush or palette knife. I often paint wet over wet paint to build up rich, three-dimensional color. It’s important to put thicker paint on top of thinner layers, a method called “fat over lean.” Why is it important? Impasto gives your painting real texture, drama, and a sense of movement. It makes your artwork feel lively and encourages people to notice the surface of the paint. 5. Scumbling What is it? Scumbling means brushing a thicker layer of paint over a dry or almost dry layer underneath. This creates a broken look where the colors below peek through. I use scumbling to show things like sparkling highlights, sunlit grass, or shimmering water. Why is it important? Scumbling creates lovely broken color effects that look natural and add detail, light, and atmosphere to your landscapes or still life paintings. Final Thoughts Practicing these five techniques often will help you feel more confident and improve your oil paintings. Even experienced artists go back to these basics to stay sharp and keep their work interesting. So grab your brushes and give them a try. Happy painting! Develop a Fun Painting Practice & See Your Skills Grow |
AuthorMalcolm Dewey: Artist. Country: South Africa 
Archives
March 2026
Categories
All
FREE
|
RSS Feed
|
