The Old Masters oil painting process is a traditional, multi-stage technique used by classical artists such as Rembrandt, Titian, Caravaggio, Velázquez, Rubens and Vermeer. This method emphasizes structure, depth, and luminosity through careful layering and control of values. Below are the five essential stages we follow in class:
1. Tracing the Image
We begin by transferring the image onto the canvas using a stylus tool.
In painting, tracing means replicating an image by following its lines and transferring them to a new surface. This ensures accurate proportions and placement before paint is applied. We use a stylus tool to gently inscribe the design onto the canvas, forming the foundation for the painting.
2. Black & White Underpainting (Grisaille)
Next, we create a monochromatic underpainting to establish form and value.
Grisaille is a technique that uses shades of gray (or sometimes brown) to create a sculptural effect in paint. This step focuses entirely on light and shadow, helping define the structure of the subject without the distraction of color. The word “grisaille” comes from the French word gris, meaning gray.
3. Layering Color in Oil
With the values established, we apply oil color in opaque layers and transparent layers. Layering in oil painting involves building up the image with multiple coats of paint, applied in sequence. Each layer is allowed to dry before the next is added. This process creates depth, nuance, and visual harmony. Getting the structure and values right is crucial before adding full color. We follow the "Fat over lean" method in layering which is a core principle in traditional oil painting, especially in the Old Masters technique, and it’s critical for ensuring the durability and stability of the painting over time. Each successive layer of paint should contain more oil than the layer beneath it.Â
Oil paint dries not by evaporation, but by oxidation—a slow chemical process. If we put a slower-drying, oilier layer ("fat") underneath a faster-drying, leaner one, the top layer can crack, wrinkle, or delaminate as the bottom continues to cure and shift.
By building lean to fat, we allow:
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Proper drying from bottom to top
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Flexibility in upper layers
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Long-term structural integrity
4. Glazing
Once the color layers are dry, we apply thin, transparent layers of paint known as glazes.
Glazing allows light to pass through the transparent paint layer and reflect off the opaque layers underneath, resulting in richness, glow, and depth. This technique is what gives many Old Master paintings their luminous quality.
5. Varnishing (Optional)
After the painting has fully dried, we may apply a varnish for protection and finish.
Varnishing adds a final protective coating that guards the painting against dust, dirt, and UV damage. It also unifies the surface sheen and enhances the saturation of colors. This step is optional but often recommended to preserve the work long-term.
By following this structured, time-tested method, students learn to approach painting with discipline, patience, and a deeper understanding of how light, value, and color interact in oil paint. This process not only leads to beautiful results but also builds a strong foundation for future work.
