washes vs. glazes

[godfather]

I am going to deepen the shadows on a figure I painted with oils. I would like to use glazes of oil paint mixed with Alkyd. What are people’s experiences with this technique? What is the difference between a glaze and a wash?

 

[Sambaman]

Talino,
we toss around terms these days to the point that I think we all get confused from time to time. I would say that in my opinion, a wash is aplying a very thin solution of paint to the figure in a less controlled manner. Where glazing is a very purposeful application of thinned paint to a certain area. For instance, a wash of black paint can be aplied to chain mail by thinning it way down (say 90-10 thinner to paint) and applied loosely to the mail so as to get it down in all the small nooks and cranies. In a glaze, all though you have thinned the paint you are applying it only to a designated area, say the tops of folds if you are doing final highlights. Glazing is a process of very slowly building up the paint in a certain area. The thinned paint allows more control and better blending. Usualy used with acrylics and enamels. HTH.

I would be careful of adding a wash of oils to your figure if it already has paint on it. Make sure it is very very dry before you attempt it. I would also make sure that you do not rub any area accesively or you will likely disturb the underlying paint already there. If you have used oils already, I would go in with very thin acrylic glazes and see if you can't bring up the desired results moving slowly and precisely. HTH,

Jay H.
OKC

 

[flart1943]

Hi Talino
I agree with everything Jay says but with one proviso, and that is, don't even think about it, In my experience trying to work wet on dry oil paint is usually a disaster.If you must work on it you are best to use dry oil paint (straight from the tube) and blend with dry brush. Even then there is a risk of ending up with mud.
Pete

 

[marvin]

Hey,

I can only speak from the point of view of vehicle modeling. There a wash often refers to the technique where a thinned layer of paint is put on specific areas of the model 'less controlled' (although still controlled!) and is then removed to a large extend to accent detail. Glazing is usually left on the model to dry in puddles or streaks to simulate for instance gasoline spills around the tank cap on a vehicle. Anyway, the confusion exists there as well.

I can't comment on the technique on dry oil paint, because in modeling it is always used over acrylics, enamels or lacquers. Sorry.

- Marvin -

 

[Sambaman]

I would concur with Pete,
I have never tried to come back with diluted oils over an already oil pinted surface, I have tried "touch-ups" with oils striaght out of the tube and in small areas as Pete suggests. With a bit of blending I have had some sucess with that. I hope I didn't sound as if I would encourage using the oil paint glazes over the already painted surface. I mearly thought if Talino was brave enough...........I would definitely start with an out of the way place if you decide to try it.

Jay H.
OKC

 

[godfather]

thanks for your suggestions. i will try doing what I usually do wet on dry.