How to Improve your Landscape Paintings Through Glazing . . . by Anna Meenaghan
Some people think that their paintings appear to be lifeless dull. Often the brightness of the color seems pretty flat does not shine through. It may be that only part of your painting is affected but if this is the case I would recommend glazing it.
This is very disappointing result for the artist. Sometimes it can be because the artist has used too much turpentine as a medium or may just be bad paintwork. Everybody has days where things do not go just as you intended. This is the challenge you face when you paint.
Most artists would consider this a crucial part of their work. It definitely seems to give your work a lift. The glazing part has so many uses as the majority of people have come to realize over the years.
So for me it very valuable. For starters it will bring together as one certain parts of your work or even just a small portion of it. This gives you the opportunity to create greater depths a ready glow particularly for trees mountains flowers,etc. Somehow it just brings your painting to life
What actually happens is that you cover it with a very fine film of color over another but please be sure to let the first coat be perfectly dry. I liken it to glass actually as really it like the sun peeping through on your work. You may then come to realize you can bring coldness or heat to your work.
However the first layer needs to be completely dry before you proceed or you will have problems with intermingling shades. Obviously the colour you place on top has to be a transparent one.
So really this is very important adage to your work. It can combine your whole painting to its eventual conclusion creating harmony obviously give added strength. Sometimes I use it to bring about spaces even distance.
At first you may find it hard to achieve great results. It is learning curve through trial tribulation. Basically what you will find is what where do I do this Only by trying colours will you find out.
So suppose you just try putting a very deep purple over a pale yellow this will give you an idea of the strength of color that can actually be obtained. Really it best to just keep experhymenting until you are happy with the finished result.
There are certain rules to remember when you glaze. An absolute must is to not mix any white paint with the color you wish to glaze with. If you only use oil with it you can go about it by stroking it on gently.
If you are looking for strong vibrant effects get out your palette. Try putting for example a very strong red on top of a much weaker shade see what prevails. You can have so much to work with to great effect. Then you could round it off with a layer of gel. Some people just prefer this.
More informative guides from this author are available at her website. Anna Meenaghan has been engaged in the arts most her life her online interactive art gallery spans anything from landscape paintings to realism. So why not visit see for yourself . . . How to Improve your Landscape Paintings Through Glazing . . .