BASIC INFORMATION
Glaze / Wash

Glazes and Washes Go Over Dry Paint

TRANSPARENT layers of oil paint are called GLAZES.

TRANSLUCENT layers of oil paint are called WASHES.

Both are colors thinned with a solution of 1/3 linseed oil, 1/3 turpentine and 1/3 Damar varnish.

A GLAZE is a thin TRANSPARENT color used over another dry color to create a third color. For example if you put a thinned Quinacridone rose (a transparent color) over blue, you get a violet. If you use a glaze over a similar color you enhance the color. Cast shadows over complex textures are often glazed. A glaze always darkens a color. (See Paints for transparency and opacity)

This is a Glaze

By example, the beetle's carapace needs to be greener.

The GLAZE formula is mixed on the palette with thalo green (a transparent color) until the degree of transparency necessary is achieved.

The glaze is then applied with a sable brush to the horizontal painting. Allow it to dry overnight. With a glaze you can change a color with out changing the pattern of brush strokes of the underlying layer of paint.

This is a Wash

A WASH is a thin OPAQUE color used over another dry color. A wash will not change its essential color and appears as a TRANSLUCENT layer on top of other colors.

Mix the color with the glaze solution on your palette until you have the degree of translucency needed. Apply it to the horizontal painting with a sable brush.

White (an opaque color) is used with a glaze solution to create the rays of light. Allow it to dry overnight.