Painting Techniques

Underpainting

Establishing the foundation of your composition with a monochromatic base layer. This technique helps define values and composition before adding color. Commonly used in oil painting, it provides a roadmap for the final layers.

Glazing

Applying thin, transparent layers of paint to build depth and richness. This method allows light to pass through layers, creating luminous effects. Effective in both oil and watercolor painting for achieving subtle color shifts.

Wet-on-Wet

Working with paint on a wet surface to create soft blends and transitions. Particularly effective in watercolor and acrylic painting. Requires understanding of timing and water control to achieve desired effects.

Dry Brush

Using minimal paint on a brush to create texture and fine details. This technique adds visual interest and surface variation. Useful for rendering textures like fabric, wood grain, or foliage.

Scumbling

Applying broken color over an existing layer using a dry brush with minimal paint. Creates texture and visual interest while allowing underlying colors to show through. Often used for atmospheric effects.

Impasto

Applying paint thickly so that brush or knife strokes are visible. Adds texture and dimension to the painting surface. Requires understanding of paint consistency and drying times.

Wash Techniques

Applying large areas of diluted paint for backgrounds or skies. In watercolor, this involves controlling water and pigment flow. Practice in flat washes, graded washes, and variegated washes.

Color Lifting

Removing wet or dry paint from the surface to create highlights or correct areas. Techniques vary by medium: watercolor allows lifting with water, while oils require scraping or solvent. Understanding when and how to lift is essential.

Technique Application

Combining Techniques

Most paintings use multiple techniques in combination. Understanding how techniques work together allows you to achieve the effects you want. For example, you might use underpainting to establish values, then apply glazes for color, and finish with dry brush for texture.

Learning when and how to combine techniques is part of developing your painting practice. Exercises in our courses demonstrate technique combinations and help you understand their applications.

Medium-Specific Techniques

Oil Painting Methods

Oil painting techniques include fat-over-lean application, alla prima painting, and traditional layering methods. Understanding paint consistency, drying times, and brush handling specific to oils is essential for successful work.

Safety considerations for working with oils, including proper ventilation and solvent use, are covered in our oil painting courses.

Watercolor Approaches

Watercolor requires understanding water control, paper selection, and timing. Techniques like wet-on-wet, dry brush, and glazing each have specific applications. Learning when to use each approach helps you achieve desired effects.

Paper texture and weight significantly affect watercolor results. Understanding these relationships supports technique mastery.