Stages of an oil painting

Indirect Painting is the approach of painting in layers. Paint can be hard to control, so this approach gives you the ability of taking on only what you can manage at any given time. We make sure each layer is dry before we paint the next one. I learned this process while doing cast painting at The Academy of Realist Art Boston. This is the approach I would use for skin, cloth, smooth objects, or anything that doesn’t have a ton of texture.

Layer 1

The first layer has fuzzy edges, no physical buildup or topography, and is quite general. No details!

I typically use Trekell Long Filbert Hog Bristles for this layer.

Straight paint. Maybe a TINY bit of odorless mineral spirits if I need the paint to flow a bit more.

My mindset: solidify drawing decisions, stay simple, no sharp edges, no texture.

Layer 2

This layer takes the longest. My mindset: I am building form.

Opaque paint, patchy/mosaic of hue-value-chroma shift. Minimal blending.

No medium, just paint.

I like to use Trekell Spectrum Brights for this.

Layer 3

My mindset: Smoothing out transitions, turning form, and ALL THE DETAILS!

I like to use Trekell Spectrum Brights and possibly small rounds for this.

Straight paint, or paint with a VERY SMALL amount of oil added.

Keep in mind that each of the layers may need additional work to be successful. SO I may have a Layer 2A, and then a partial Layer 2B depending on complexity. I hope this is helpful! Feel free to comment with any questions! The original painting this is a crop of is “A Vessel with Two Hands.”