4.6. An introduction to oil painting

1. Oil painting supplies

Watch the following video to learn the names of different supplies used in oil painting. Can you write all of them down?

If you would like to know more about mediums, check out this other video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMUKg00zKQs

2. Oil painting techniques

In this section we are going to take a look at the following oil painting techniques (to access each subsection, click on the corresponding title within the menu you can find on the right):

2.1. Fat over lean

Watch the excerpt 0:18-0:42 to grasp the concept "fat over lean".

2.2. Working in layers

Watch the excerpt 0:42-1:50 to understand what working in layers implies. What are the names of the different layers mentioned in the video?

2.3. Imprimatura

Watch the excerpt 1:52-2:33 to make sure you understand what "imprimatura" means.

2.4. Underpainting

Excerpt 2:35- contains an explanation of what "underpainting" is.

2.5. Dead colors

Watch the excerpt 0:00-1:20 to learn about the concept of "dead colors".

2.6. Overpainting

Watch the excerpt 1:21-1:59 to find out what overpainting is.

2.7. Glazing

Watch the excerpt 2:00-2:45 to understand the concept of "glazing".

2.8. Scumbling

Watch the excerpt 2:46-3:07 to examine the scumbling technique.

2.9. Wet on wet or "alla prima"

The first part of this video (up to 0:54) describes the technique known as "wet on wet" or "alla prima".

2.10. Drybrush

The excerpt 0:55-1:17 demonstrates what the drybrush technique is.

2.11. Impasto

Watch the following excerpt (1:18-1:50) to become familiar with the impasto technique:

2.12. Varnishing an oil painting

Excerpt 1:52-3:26 refers to the process of varnishing an oil painting: