Question on wet on wet oil blending

[D.Lesko]

Hi guys. When you have two oil colors next to each other and you wish to create a smooth transition, which way do you blend? Lets put it this way, if one color is to the north and the other is to the south, should the brush be going north/south or east/west while blending. Does that make sense? . Thanks guys!

 

[btavis]

I suggest you do not do that as it will cause the colors to blend themselves out of existence unless you are working in a very large area. It is better to stipple along the edge where they meet with a very soft, small brush and then use a really large puffy blending brush after the colors have set for awhile to soften the stippling.

 

[Kisifer]

I agree with Bob.Stippling is the way to go for blending that way. I used to blend like you explained, lets say from north to south or vice versa and the results were not that good. Soft stipples where the two colors almost meet each other i believe is the best way.

 

[D.Lesko]

Im cunfused as to what you mean by stippling. Do you mean poking at the paint with the tip of the brush along the line between the two colors?

 

[btavis]

I think the term dabbing the brush is better. You do not use much pressure and let the soft bristles of the brush do the work.

Filbert brushes are real good for this and they come in a variety of bristles (mongoose, squirrel, sable etc.) I would get 0, 1, and 2. Better go to an art store so you can feel the brush. The softer the better.

After the paint has had time to dry a little you can then use a Winsor Newton Series 240 brush and just feather over the area to eliminate the stippling. If done correctly it will produce a flawless blend.

 

[Kisifer]

That's it David. You poke with the tip of the brush the edge of the two colors. Dabbing is also another word describing this technique.

 

[PHIL WALDEN]

Evening David,.. Ive allways worked wet on wet, allways light to dark,useing both stippling and feathering large and small areas, although I do use oils, but have done the same with other breeds of paint...the trick being,.. throw away the rule book when it comes to paint ....

Phil...

 

[Blind Pew]

David, I would agree with everything that people have said. What I would add is that what I do, and I know others do as well, is to hold the piece you're working on at arm's length or so every so often and check that the transition of the blend is even. Holding it further away seems to give the eye a better chance to check this.
Also do be wary of over blending, which is something that I've been guilty of in the past. Keep the shadows & highlights distinct so that don't blurr into one.

I think as well, that holding a piece at arm's length allows you to see the overall effect of what you are doing, as it is this that you are trying to acheive.

Hope this helps...........

 

[D.Lesko]

Thanks for all the help guys, ive never really understood how to blend the transition and i think thats why my pieces do not have the contrast others do. Maybe this will help. Im in the process of painting Andrea's mounted Winged Hussar and just started the horse.

 

[KeithP]

Sorry to be late on the discussion.

Here is a BMSS article with a good description and drawing of oil blending.

http://www.btinternet.com/~model.soldiers/page38.html

Keith

 

[Gordon Shumnoae]

(''''''..... Also do be wary of over blending, which is something that I've been guilty of in the past. Keep the shadows & highlights distinct so that don't blurr into one. ))


I agree with all the above i wold just like to add soimething about overblending to what Anthony said''"
it is easy to fall into the overblend trap.
keep in mind that as the oil paint cures overt he next few weeks the paint tones will continiue to blend by them selves .
Take this into acount
Gordo