I am interested in color mixing by glazing but am not sure where to start. I know that Rembrandt painted in thin layers of glaze, up to 25-30 layers. Do I start with a light color such as a pale yellow? Then a darker glaze such as Cadmium Red? Do I wait until each layer dries, say for a few days? Would layers of the same color give a darker appearance. |
I am working on a book covering this area but it is still some time away. Meanwhile the following tips might be of help.
- It is usually better to start with light under-layers, white, pale yellow etc. This will allow the light to pass through transparent upper layers and reflect back from the lighter under-colors.
- Darker Coors can be added as long as they are transparent. You mention Cadmium Red, this would normally be unsuitable for upper layers as it is opaque. However, if it is very well made it can be applied thinly as an upper layer. Alternatively, as with any opaque color, it can be applied as a scumble onto the final surface.
- All layers must be allowed to dry thoroughly before the next is applied.
- Multiple layers of the same color, if they are transparent, will take on a gradually darkening appearance up to a certain point. The same color type in an opaque paint will not behave in the same way.
A word of caution, if you do not understand the principles of color mixing, you will end up with the same muddy grays and general mess on the painting as you will on the palette. We can help you in this area of course. For information on the transparency of oil paints see our book "The Artists Guide to Selecting Colors".
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