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curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa118.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://ejohnrobinson.com/blogs/news/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://ejohnrobinson.com/blogs/news/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

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{"found_url":"https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting","crawl_time":1775807074,"first_indexed_time":1624141721,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,ejohnrobinson!\/blogs\/news\/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting s443","src_root_hash":"8161969825494916318","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Rules and Techniques for Mastering the Art of Oil Painting – E. John Robinson © Official Site","meta_descriptions":["Oil painting can be challenging to master, but there are only three basic rules to follow. These three rules, when put to correct practice, can make your masterpiece last a lifetime!"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Every artist starts with a humble beginning. From picking up their first art material and creating their first artwork to discovering a natural talent in drawing and painting, developing that talent into a skill takes time before they can venture into a career in arts. Soon enough, they’ll encounter one of the most well-known painting methods - oil painting.\nOil painting can be challenging to master, but there are only three basic rules to follow. These three rules, when put to correct practice, can make your masterpiece last a lifetime:\nRule #1: Fat over Lean\nThis rule refers to the additives in your oil paint mixture. Adding an oil painting medium makes the mixture “fat,” while adding any kind of solvent makes it “lean.” Because of this, the first rule indicates that you begin your artwork with layers of paint with solvent and finish with layers with painting mediums added. This is because lean paint dries more quickly than fat paint.\nRule #2: Thick over Thin\nPaint can be applied with layers of your desired thickness, but it is vital to make the first layers thin and the last layers thick. This is because oil paints do not evaporate but become solid due to oxidation, also known as curing. Painting over the top of a not-fully-cured layer may cause cracking for the next thin layer. This is why it is best to start with a thin layer before the thick ones.\nRule #3: Slow Drying over Fast Drying\nIt is good to know that some paint colors dry faster than others. The rule of thumb states that jewel tones dry longer while earth tones dry faster. But to be certain, you may check the websites of your paints’ brands to find the drying qualities and drying times of each color.\nYour understanding of these three oil painting basics will go a long way, especially when you’re ready to perform the known techniques to be a master in oil painting. Here are seven techniques you should learn in an oil painting:\nTechnique #1: Chiaroscuro\nChiaroscuro increases the drama of art and creates a three-dimensional object by pushing the subject into the foreground while playing with the lights and shadow of the painting. To do this, start with one light focus and work outwards from there.\nTechnique #2: Scumbling\nScumbling brings more texture to an art. It is a technique that uses a dry, stiff brush to apply thin layers of paint. This results in an image not having a smooth finish, exposing some of the underpainting on the canvas.\nTechnique #3: Alla Prima\nAlla Prima is a friend for those who like to paint quickly. Also known as “wet-on-wet,” this technique does not require painting in a dry layer instead of the three basic rules. This helps you to complete the painting in one sitting.\nTechnique #4: Glazing\nGlazing applies transparent layers over an opaque base layer on the canvas. In essence, using subsequent color layers makes the finish glossier and showcases a multi-faceted masterpiece.\nTechnique #5: Underpainting\nUnderpainting resolves the application of color onto a blank canvas that is frowned upon by many artists. It involves “sketching” the subject in a very thin layer, and any background is blocked out, so you know where to put this subject later in the creative process.\nTechnique #6: Impasto\nImpasto painting requires deliberate strokes of thick paint, making each mark of the paintbrush visible in the final masterpiece. Using this technique focuses on the most critical areas and makes them more prominent.\nTechnique #7: Grisaille\nGrisaille was commonly used in the Renaissance period when portraying sculptures but not as popular in this modern time because of the wide range of colors available today. Grisaille is the art of painting in monochrome, showing light, dark, and shades by utilizing black, white, and grey colors.\nConclusion\nMastering oil paintings does not mean practicing all of these techniques. It is still more focused on the basic rules mixed with the vision of the artist. Picking at least one technique will heavily depend on your identity and the artworks you see yourself showcasing to the world. Nevertheless, this knowledge helps you explore different styles for your next craft.\nImprove your skills one step at a time with E. John Robinson’s instructional\noil painting lessons\nonline. Unleash your potential to be a master in oil paintings through digital downloads, DVDs, or books on compact discs. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!","attrs_markdown":"[![E. John Robinson © Official Site]() ![E. John Robinson © Official Site](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/e-john-robinson-seascape-painting_0x.jpg?v=1613170957)](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/)\n\n[BECOME A TRUE ARTIST... TODAY\\!](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections)\n\n[Sign in](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/customer_authentication\/redirect?locale=en&region_country=US) or [Create an Account](https:\/\/shopify.com\/11933926\/account?locale=en)\n\n[Cart 0](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/cart)\n\nMenu\n\n[Cart 0](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/cart)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/)\n- [Oil Lessons](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections\/oil-lessons)\n- [Watercolor Lessons](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections\/watercolor-lessons)\n- [E-Books](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections\/books-lessons)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/about-us)\n  - [Artist Profile](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/artist-profile)\n  - [Blog](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news)\n  - [FAQ](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/faq)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/contact-us)\n- [Student Submissions](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/student-submissions)\n- [Sign in](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/customer_authentication\/redirect?locale=en&region_country=US)\n- [Create an Account](https:\/\/shopify.com\/11933926\/account?locale=en)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/)\n- [Oil Lessons](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections\/oil-lessons)\n- [Watercolor Lessons](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections\/watercolor-lessons)\n- [E-Books](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections\/books-lessons)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/about-us)\n  - [Artist Profile](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/artist-profile)\n  - [Blog](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news)\n  - [FAQ](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/faq)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/contact-us)\n- [Student Submissions](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/student-submissions)\n- [Sign in](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/customer_authentication\/redirect?locale=en&region_country=US)\n- [Create an Account](https:\/\/shopify.com\/11933926\/account?locale=en)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/ \"Back to the frontpage\") › [Blog](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news) › Rules and Techniques for Mastering the Art of Oil Painting\n\n# Rules and Techniques for Mastering the Art of Oil Painting\n**Jun 17, 2021**\n\nEvery artist starts with a humble beginning. From picking up their first art material and creating their first artwork to discovering a natural talent in drawing and painting, developing that talent into a skill takes time before they can venture into a career in arts. Soon enough, they’ll encounter one of the most well-known painting methods - oil painting.\n\nOil painting can be challenging to master, but there are only three basic rules to follow. These three rules, when put to correct practice, can make your masterpiece last a lifetime:\n\n## **Rule \\#1: Fat over Lean**\nThis rule refers to the additives in your oil paint mixture. Adding an oil painting medium makes the mixture “fat,” while adding any kind of solvent makes it “lean.” Because of this, the first rule indicates that you begin your artwork with layers of paint with solvent and finish with layers with painting mediums added. This is because lean paint dries more quickly than fat paint.\n\n## **Rule \\#2: Thick over Thin**\nPaint can be applied with layers of your desired thickness, but it is vital to make the first layers thin and the last layers thick. This is because oil paints do not evaporate but become solid due to oxidation, also known as curing. Painting over the top of a not-fully-cured layer may cause cracking for the next thin layer. This is why it is best to start with a thin layer before the thick ones.\n\n## **Rule \\#3: Slow Drying over Fast Drying**\nIt is good to know that some paint colors dry faster than others. The rule of thumb states that jewel tones dry longer while earth tones dry faster. But to be certain, you may check the websites of your paints’ brands to find the drying qualities and drying times of each color.\n\nYour understanding of these three oil painting basics will go a long way, especially when you’re ready to perform the known techniques to be a master in oil painting. Here are seven techniques you should learn in an oil painting:\n\n## **Technique \\#1: Chiaroscuro**\nChiaroscuro increases the drama of art and creates a three-dimensional object by pushing the subject into the foreground while playing with the lights and shadow of the painting. To do this, start with one light focus and work outwards from there.\n\n## **Technique \\#2: Scumbling**\nScumbling brings more texture to an art. It is a technique that uses a dry, stiff brush to apply thin layers of paint. This results in an image not having a smooth finish, exposing some of the underpainting on the canvas.\n\n## **Technique \\#3: Alla Prima**\nAlla Prima is a friend for those who like to paint quickly. Also known as “wet-on-wet,” this technique does not require painting in a dry layer instead of the three basic rules. This helps you to complete the painting in one sitting.\n\n## **Technique \\#4: Glazing**\nGlazing applies transparent layers over an opaque base layer on the canvas. In essence, using subsequent color layers makes the finish glossier and showcases a multi-faceted masterpiece.\n\n## **Technique \\#5: Underpainting**\nUnderpainting resolves the application of color onto a blank canvas that is frowned upon by many artists. It involves “sketching” the subject in a very thin layer, and any background is blocked out, so you know where to put this subject later in the creative process.\n\n## **Technique \\#6: Impasto**\nImpasto painting requires deliberate strokes of thick paint, making each mark of the paintbrush visible in the final masterpiece. Using this technique focuses on the most critical areas and makes them more prominent.\n\n## **Technique \\#7: Grisaille**\nGrisaille was commonly used in the Renaissance period when portraying sculptures but not as popular in this modern time because of the wide range of colors available today. Grisaille is the art of painting in monochrome, showing light, dark, and shades by utilizing black, white, and grey colors.\n\n## **Conclusion**\nMastering oil paintings does not mean practicing all of these techniques. It is still more focused on the basic rules mixed with the vision of the artist. Picking at least one technique will heavily depend on your identity and the artworks you see yourself showcasing to the world. Nevertheless, this knowledge helps you explore different styles for your next craft.\n\nImprove your skills one step at a time with E. John Robinson’s instructional [oil painting lessons](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections\/oil-lessons) online. Unleash your potential to be a master in oil paintings through digital downloads, DVDs, or books on compact discs. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help\\!\n***\n## Share this post\n[Share Share on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting \"Share on Facebook\")   [Tweet Tweet on Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Rules%20and%20Techniques%20for%20Mastering%20the%20Art%20of%20Oil%20Painting&url=https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting&source=webclient \"Tweet on Twitter\")   [Pin it Pin on Pinterest](https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting&media=http:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/rifqi-ali-ridho-odVZS0H59YM-unsplash_1024x1024.jpg?v=1623991132&description=Rules%20and%20Techniques%20for%20Mastering%20the%20Art%20of%20Oil%20Painting \"Pin on Pinterest\")\n***\n- [0 comment](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting#comments)\n***\n[← Older Post](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/improve-oil-painting-skills-and-create-better-artwork)   [Newer Post →](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/oil-painting-tips-3-reasons-to-add-varnish-to-your-painting)\n***\n## 0 comment\n[Leave a comment ›](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/rules-and-techniques-for-mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting#write-comment)\n\n### Recent Articles\n[Debunking the 5 Most Common Misconceptions About Watercolor](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/debunking-the-5-most-common-misconceptions-about-watercolor)   \n *Oct 07, 2021*\n\n[What Is the Fat over Lean Rule Artists Do in Oil Painting?](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/what-is-the-fat-over-lean-rule-artists-do-in-oil-painting)   \n *Oct 07, 2021*\n\n[How to Choose the Right Surface for Your Oil Painting](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/how-to-choose-the-right-surface-for-your-oil-painting)   \n *Oct 07, 2021*\n\n[Oil Paint or Watercolor Paint: Which Is Best for Beginners?](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/oil-paint-or-watercolor-paint)   \n *Sep 15, 2021*\n\n[Our Comprehensive Guide to Improving Your Painting Skills](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/guide-to-improving-your-painting-skills)   \n *Sep 09, 2021*\n\n[How to Create Texture with Oil Paint](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/how-to-create-texture-with-oil-paint)   \n *Sep 03, 2021*\n\n#### Categories\n- [store news](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news\/tagged\/store-news \"Show articles tagged store news\")\n\n### Quick links\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/contact)\n- [Shipping](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/shipping-rates)\n- [Return Policy](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/return-policy)\n- [Search](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/search)\n\n### About Us\n- [Artist Profile](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/artist-profile)\n- [Reviews](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/reviews)\n- [Blog](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/blogs\/news)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/pages\/privacy-policy)\n\n### Get Our Updates\nWe'll send you information about new products as it becomes available.\n***\n- [Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/ejohnrobinson \"E. John Robinson © Official Site on Twitter\")\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/facebook.com\/ejohnrobinsonlessons\/ \"E. John Robinson © Official Site on Facebook\")\n- [Pinterest](https:\/\/pinterest.com\/ejohnrobinson \"E. John Robinson © Official Site on Pinterest\")\n- [Google](https:\/\/plus.google.com\/u\/0\/b\/116814275180861809681\/ \"E. John Robinson © Official Site on Google\")\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/pinterest.com\/ejohnrobinson1 \"E. John Robinson © Official Site on Instagram\")\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/youtube.com\/user\/MrCb310 \"E. John Robinson © Official Site on YouTube\")\n***\n- © 2026 [E. John Robinson © Official Site](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/)\n- [Powered by Shopify](https:\/\/www.shopify.com\/?utm_campaign=poweredby&utm_medium=shopify&utm_source=onlinestore)\n\nPayment icons","attrs_readable_markdown":"Every artist starts with a humble beginning. From picking up their first art material and creating their first artwork to discovering a natural talent in drawing and painting, developing that talent into a skill takes time before they can venture into a career in arts. Soon enough, they’ll encounter one of the most well-known painting methods - oil painting.\n\nOil painting can be challenging to master, but there are only three basic rules to follow. These three rules, when put to correct practice, can make your masterpiece last a lifetime:\n\n## **Rule \\#1: Fat over Lean**\nThis rule refers to the additives in your oil paint mixture. Adding an oil painting medium makes the mixture “fat,” while adding any kind of solvent makes it “lean.” Because of this, the first rule indicates that you begin your artwork with layers of paint with solvent and finish with layers with painting mediums added. This is because lean paint dries more quickly than fat paint.\n\n## **Rule \\#2: Thick over Thin**\nPaint can be applied with layers of your desired thickness, but it is vital to make the first layers thin and the last layers thick. This is because oil paints do not evaporate but become solid due to oxidation, also known as curing. Painting over the top of a not-fully-cured layer may cause cracking for the next thin layer. This is why it is best to start with a thin layer before the thick ones.\n\n## **Rule \\#3: Slow Drying over Fast Drying**\nIt is good to know that some paint colors dry faster than others. The rule of thumb states that jewel tones dry longer while earth tones dry faster. But to be certain, you may check the websites of your paints’ brands to find the drying qualities and drying times of each color.\n\nYour understanding of these three oil painting basics will go a long way, especially when you’re ready to perform the known techniques to be a master in oil painting. Here are seven techniques you should learn in an oil painting:\n\n## **Technique \\#1: Chiaroscuro**\nChiaroscuro increases the drama of art and creates a three-dimensional object by pushing the subject into the foreground while playing with the lights and shadow of the painting. To do this, start with one light focus and work outwards from there.\n\n## **Technique \\#2: Scumbling**\nScumbling brings more texture to an art. It is a technique that uses a dry, stiff brush to apply thin layers of paint. This results in an image not having a smooth finish, exposing some of the underpainting on the canvas.\n\n## **Technique \\#3: Alla Prima**\nAlla Prima is a friend for those who like to paint quickly. Also known as “wet-on-wet,” this technique does not require painting in a dry layer instead of the three basic rules. This helps you to complete the painting in one sitting.\n\n## **Technique \\#4: Glazing**\nGlazing applies transparent layers over an opaque base layer on the canvas. In essence, using subsequent color layers makes the finish glossier and showcases a multi-faceted masterpiece.\n\n## **Technique \\#5: Underpainting**\nUnderpainting resolves the application of color onto a blank canvas that is frowned upon by many artists. It involves “sketching” the subject in a very thin layer, and any background is blocked out, so you know where to put this subject later in the creative process.\n\n## **Technique \\#6: Impasto**\nImpasto painting requires deliberate strokes of thick paint, making each mark of the paintbrush visible in the final masterpiece. Using this technique focuses on the most critical areas and makes them more prominent.\n\n## **Technique \\#7: Grisaille**\nGrisaille was commonly used in the Renaissance period when portraying sculptures but not as popular in this modern time because of the wide range of colors available today. Grisaille is the art of painting in monochrome, showing light, dark, and shades by utilizing black, white, and grey colors.\n\n## **Conclusion**\nMastering oil paintings does not mean practicing all of these techniques. It is still more focused on the basic rules mixed with the vision of the artist. Picking at least one technique will heavily depend on your identity and the artworks you see yourself showcasing to the world. Nevertheless, this knowledge helps you explore different styles for your next craft.\n\nImprove your skills one step at a time with E. John Robinson’s instructional [oil painting lessons](https:\/\/ejohnrobinson.com\/collections\/oil-lessons) online. Unleash your potential to be a master in oil paintings through digital downloads, DVDs, or books on compact discs. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help\\!","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Every artist starts with a humble beginning. From picking up their first art material and creating their first artwork to discovering a natural talent in drawing and painting, developing that talent into a skill takes time before they can venture into a career in arts. Soon enough, they’ll encounter one of the most well-known painting methods - oil painting. Oil painting can be challenging to master, but there are only three basic rules to follow. These three rules, when put to correct practice, can make your masterpiece last a lifetime: Rule #1: Fat over Lean This rule refers to the additives in your oil paint mixture. Adding an oil painting medium makes the mixture “fat,” while adding any kind of solvent makes it “lean.” Because of this, the first rule indicates that you begin your artwork with layers of paint with solvent and finish with layers with painting mediums added. This is because lean paint dries more quickly than fat paint. Rule #2: Thick over Thin Paint can be applied with layers of your desired thickness, but it is vital to make the first layers thin and the last layers thick. This is because oil paints do not evaporate but become solid due to oxidation, also known as curing. Painting over the top of a not-fully-cured layer may cause cracking for the next thin layer. This is why it is best to start with a thin layer before the thick ones. Rule #3: Slow Drying over Fast Drying It is good to know that some paint colors dry faster than others. The rule of thumb states that jewel tones dry longer while earth tones dry faster. But to be certain, you may check the websites of your paints’ brands to find the drying qualities and drying times of each color. Your understanding of these three oil painting basics will go a long way, especially when you’re ready to perform the known techniques to be a master in oil painting. Here are seven techniques you should learn in an oil painting: Technique #1: Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro increases the drama of art and creates a three-dimensional object by pushing the subject into the foreground while playing with the lights and shadow of the painting. To do this, start with one light focus and work outwards from there. Technique #2: Scumbling Scumbling brings more texture to an art. It is a technique that uses a dry, stiff brush to apply thin layers of paint. This results in an image not having a smooth finish, exposing some of the underpainting on the canvas. Technique #3: Alla Prima Alla Prima is a friend for those who like to paint quickly. Also known as “wet-on-wet,” this technique does not require painting in a dry layer instead of the three basic rules. This helps you to complete the painting in one sitting. Technique #4: Glazing Glazing applies transparent layers over an opaque base layer on the canvas. In essence, using subsequent color layers makes the finish glossier and showcases a multi-faceted masterpiece. Technique #5: Underpainting Underpainting resolves the application of color onto a blank canvas that is frowned upon by many artists. It involves “sketching” the subject in a very thin layer, and any background is blocked out, so you know where to put this subject later in the creative process. Technique #6: Impasto Impasto painting requires deliberate strokes of thick paint, making each mark of the paintbrush visible in the final masterpiece. Using this technique focuses on the most critical areas and makes them more prominent. Technique #7: Grisaille Grisaille was commonly used in the Renaissance period when portraying sculptures but not as popular in this modern time because of the wide range of colors available today. Grisaille is the art of painting in monochrome, showing light, dark, and shades by utilizing black, white, and grey colors. Conclusion Mastering oil paintings does not mean practicing all of these techniques. It is still more focused on the basic rules mixed with the vision of the artist. Picking at least one technique will heavily depend on your identity and the artworks you see yourself showcasing to the world. Nevertheless, this knowledge helps you explore different styles for your next craft. Improve your skills one step at a time with E. John Robinson’s instructional oil painting lessons online. Unleash your potential to be a master in oil paintings through digital downloads, DVDs, or books on compact discs. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!
Markdown	[![E. John Robinson © Official Site]() ![E. John Robinson © Official Site](https://ejohnrobinson.com/cdn/shop/files/e-john-robinson-seascape-painting_0x.jpg?v=1613170957)](https://ejohnrobinson.com/) [BECOME A TRUE ARTIST... 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From picking up their first art material and creating their first artwork to discovering a natural talent in drawing and painting, developing that talent into a skill takes time before they can venture into a career in arts. Soon enough, they’ll encounter one of the most well-known painting methods - oil painting. Oil painting can be challenging to master, but there are only three basic rules to follow. These three rules, when put to correct practice, can make your masterpiece last a lifetime: ## Rule \#1: Fat over Lean This rule refers to the additives in your oil paint mixture. Adding an oil painting medium makes the mixture “fat,” while adding any kind of solvent makes it “lean.” Because of this, the first rule indicates that you begin your artwork with layers of paint with solvent and finish with layers with painting mediums added. This is because lean paint dries more quickly than fat paint. ## Rule \#2: Thick over Thin Paint can be applied with layers of your desired thickness, but it is vital to make the first layers thin and the last layers thick. This is because oil paints do not evaporate but become solid due to oxidation, also known as curing. Painting over the top of a not-fully-cured layer may cause cracking for the next thin layer. This is why it is best to start with a thin layer before the thick ones. ## Rule \#3: Slow Drying over Fast Drying It is good to know that some paint colors dry faster than others. The rule of thumb states that jewel tones dry longer while earth tones dry faster. But to be certain, you may check the websites of your paints’ brands to find the drying qualities and drying times of each color. Your understanding of these three oil painting basics will go a long way, especially when you’re ready to perform the known techniques to be a master in oil painting. Here are seven techniques you should learn in an oil painting: ## Technique \#1: Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro increases the drama of art and creates a three-dimensional object by pushing the subject into the foreground while playing with the lights and shadow of the painting. To do this, start with one light focus and work outwards from there. ## Technique \#2: Scumbling Scumbling brings more texture to an art. It is a technique that uses a dry, stiff brush to apply thin layers of paint. This results in an image not having a smooth finish, exposing some of the underpainting on the canvas. ## Technique \#3: Alla Prima Alla Prima is a friend for those who like to paint quickly. Also known as “wet-on-wet,” this technique does not require painting in a dry layer instead of the three basic rules. This helps you to complete the painting in one sitting. ## Technique \#4: Glazing Glazing applies transparent layers over an opaque base layer on the canvas. In essence, using subsequent color layers makes the finish glossier and showcases a multi-faceted masterpiece. ## Technique \#5: Underpainting Underpainting resolves the application of color onto a blank canvas that is frowned upon by many artists. It involves “sketching” the subject in a very thin layer, and any background is blocked out, so you know where to put this subject later in the creative process. ## Technique \#6: Impasto Impasto painting requires deliberate strokes of thick paint, making each mark of the paintbrush visible in the final masterpiece. Using this technique focuses on the most critical areas and makes them more prominent. ## Technique \#7: Grisaille Grisaille was commonly used in the Renaissance period when portraying sculptures but not as popular in this modern time because of the wide range of colors available today. Grisaille is the art of painting in monochrome, showing light, dark, and shades by utilizing black, white, and grey colors. ## Conclusion Mastering oil paintings does not mean practicing all of these techniques. It is still more focused on the basic rules mixed with the vision of the artist. Picking at least one technique will heavily depend on your identity and the artworks you see yourself showcasing to the world. Nevertheless, this knowledge helps you explore different styles for your next craft. Improve your skills one step at a time with E. John Robinson’s instructional [oil painting lessons](https://ejohnrobinson.com/collections/oil-lessons) online. Unleash your potential to be a master in oil paintings through digital downloads, DVDs, or books on compact discs. 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Readable Markdown	Every artist starts with a humble beginning. From picking up their first art material and creating their first artwork to discovering a natural talent in drawing and painting, developing that talent into a skill takes time before they can venture into a career in arts. Soon enough, they’ll encounter one of the most well-known painting methods - oil painting. Oil painting can be challenging to master, but there are only three basic rules to follow. These three rules, when put to correct practice, can make your masterpiece last a lifetime: ## Rule \#1: Fat over Lean This rule refers to the additives in your oil paint mixture. Adding an oil painting medium makes the mixture “fat,” while adding any kind of solvent makes it “lean.” Because of this, the first rule indicates that you begin your artwork with layers of paint with solvent and finish with layers with painting mediums added. This is because lean paint dries more quickly than fat paint. ## Rule \#2: Thick over Thin Paint can be applied with layers of your desired thickness, but it is vital to make the first layers thin and the last layers thick. This is because oil paints do not evaporate but become solid due to oxidation, also known as curing. Painting over the top of a not-fully-cured layer may cause cracking for the next thin layer. This is why it is best to start with a thin layer before the thick ones. ## Rule \#3: Slow Drying over Fast Drying It is good to know that some paint colors dry faster than others. The rule of thumb states that jewel tones dry longer while earth tones dry faster. But to be certain, you may check the websites of your paints’ brands to find the drying qualities and drying times of each color. Your understanding of these three oil painting basics will go a long way, especially when you’re ready to perform the known techniques to be a master in oil painting. Here are seven techniques you should learn in an oil painting: ## Technique \#1: Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro increases the drama of art and creates a three-dimensional object by pushing the subject into the foreground while playing with the lights and shadow of the painting. To do this, start with one light focus and work outwards from there. ## Technique \#2: Scumbling Scumbling brings more texture to an art. It is a technique that uses a dry, stiff brush to apply thin layers of paint. This results in an image not having a smooth finish, exposing some of the underpainting on the canvas. ## Technique \#3: Alla Prima Alla Prima is a friend for those who like to paint quickly. Also known as “wet-on-wet,” this technique does not require painting in a dry layer instead of the three basic rules. This helps you to complete the painting in one sitting. ## Technique \#4: Glazing Glazing applies transparent layers over an opaque base layer on the canvas. In essence, using subsequent color layers makes the finish glossier and showcases a multi-faceted masterpiece. ## Technique \#5: Underpainting Underpainting resolves the application of color onto a blank canvas that is frowned upon by many artists. It involves “sketching” the subject in a very thin layer, and any background is blocked out, so you know where to put this subject later in the creative process. ## Technique \#6: Impasto Impasto painting requires deliberate strokes of thick paint, making each mark of the paintbrush visible in the final masterpiece. Using this technique focuses on the most critical areas and makes them more prominent. ## Technique \#7: Grisaille Grisaille was commonly used in the Renaissance period when portraying sculptures but not as popular in this modern time because of the wide range of colors available today. Grisaille is the art of painting in monochrome, showing light, dark, and shades by utilizing black, white, and grey colors. ## Conclusion Mastering oil paintings does not mean practicing all of these techniques. It is still more focused on the basic rules mixed with the vision of the artist. Picking at least one technique will heavily depend on your identity and the artworks you see yourself showcasing to the world. Nevertheless, this knowledge helps you explore different styles for your next craft. Improve your skills one step at a time with E. John Robinson’s instructional [oil painting lessons](https://ejohnrobinson.com/collections/oil-lessons) online. Unleash your potential to be a master in oil paintings through digital downloads, DVDs, or books on compact discs. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help\!
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