Painting Techniques * Lori McNee

Lori McNee explains her extended palette for studio oil painting. Visit Lori at http://finearttips.com/

From Lori's Texture & Application in Paint using Yin/Yang

Using varying degrees of texture to enliven oil or acrylic artwork. Application of paint can range anywhere between transparent to opaque or thin to thick.

How to create thin and transparent texture: Yin

Use extra medium for thinning paint
Dark, cool shadows need transparent paint
Use warm transparent hues where the shadows meet the light

How to create thick and opaque (impasto) texture: Yang
Use a heavily loaded bristle brush
Put the paint down and leave it alone.
Let the brush make its mark
Use thicker texture to create form and highlights

Glazing to give the dry painting more depth.

Allow the paint to dry, then use a softer brush loaded with transparent glazes and lightly drag across the dried impasto. The glaze will puddle in the valleys made by the bristle brush. Or use a lint-free cloth/towel and carefully wipe the glaze off the peaks of the impasto. This technique allows the light to shine through the layers of paint and add an air of mystery to your work.