Oil-Based Pigments, Continued
Alla prima
Alla prima painting is a technique in which the painting is started and
finished in one sitting. Only the finishing step is applied later after the
painting dries.
Improvised
A technique in which there is no structure or preplanning of images and paint
painting
application is called improvised painting.
Special
equipment
Special equipment used to create special effects consists of scraping tools,
paper towels or sponges, and toothbrushes. Tools you chose to create special
effects is limited only by your imagination.
SCRAPING TOOLS: Scraping tools remove pigment from canvas. A
scraping tool leaves a distinct mark and can expose the linen texture of the
canvas. Scraping tools include palette knives, razor blades, pins, nails, saw
blades-any object that will remove the pigment.
PAPER TOWELS and SPONGES: Paper towels and sponges push pigment
around on the canvas surface imparting their own imprint to the paint.
TOOTHBRUSHES: Toothbrushes or any stiff bristled brush will texture
paint when you stab or drag the bristles through the pigment.
Oil paint
storage
When painting in oil paint, you can save excess paint left on the palette
between painting sessions by immersing the palette in clean, cool water.
Water does not dilute or affect oil-based paints.
Finishing
techniques
Most oil paints require an over coat of thin, soft varnish or shellac. You
may apply varnish or shellac as a matte or gloss surface treatment. Make
sure the painting is thoroughly dry before applying a finish coat. If you do
not, moisture trapped under the finish medium hazes or forms white clouds.
This aberration is known as bloom.
Exercises in oil
Practice handling oil-based paints with a brush. Load the brush with the
paint
pigment. Palette the brush to position the pigment. Blend colors and values.
Develop a thorough, methodical procedure for painting.
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