Glazing

Glazing is a technique employed by painters since the invention of oil painting. Although in theory it is very simple, in practice glazing can be a very complex undertaking. In the simplest terms, glazing consists in applying, usually with a wide, soft-bristled brush, a transparent layer of paint over another thoroughly dried layer of opaque paint. The underpainting, as the dried layer is called, is generally monochromatic but it may also contain some color. The two layers of paint are not physically but optically mixed. Glazing is similar to placing a sheet of colored acetate over a monochrome photograph. The paint used to glaze must be modified by an oil medium to achieve the correct fluidity for brushing. Glazing creates a unique “shine through,” stained-glass effect that is not obtainable by direct mixture of paint. More on this technique on following this link: http://www.essentialvermeer.com/technique/technique_glazing.html