Oil Painting Project: How to Paint Chocolate Chip Cookie
I never really realized how much of a child I still am until I started painting these sweets 😁, first it was Homer Simpson with the Donuts and now it is the Cookie Monster 🍪 ...Anyway, check out this sweet alla prima painting tutorial!
Oil Painting Techniques
No matter how simple the subject there is so much complexity to achieve a life-like result. This oil painting video tutorial has some fabulous oil painting insights that you get to practice in a fun and practical way. Here are some of the oil painting techniques that you will use when creating this painting:
- scumbling,
- glazing, and even
- sfumato oil painting
- fat over thin
- triangle composition
- color theory
Such an awesome treat in so many ways!
What does it mean "Fat over Thin" or "Fat Over Lean"?
Ah, great question! What does it mean Fat Over Thin, also often referred to as "Fat Over Lean" - when I first learned how to oil paint I thought it meant to keep the paint thin until you are ready to lay on the paint thickly. It seemed logical, right?!
What fat over thin is referencing to is the amount of linseed oil or binding agent (aka Fat) that is in the paint.
Why should we keep it "Fat Over Thin"?
It is important to be aware of the amount of fat that is mixed with the pigment because the amount of "fat" to pigment ratio determines the speed the paint dries.
So let's chew on that fat for a minute 😁🎨 (painting pun intended); the paint dries at different rates due to the amount of oil to pigment ratio.
The more fat, the longer it is going to take to dry. If you put the fat first (which you are not supposed to do), then the paint on top of the fat paint may dry faster than the paint below and BOOM! You have cracking and flaking of the paint over time!
Proper Oil Painting Technique to Adhere to the Rule "Fat Over Thin"
Here is what you want to happen to avoid cracking:
1st Layer = Thin the paint with Gamsol; this will reduce the amount of Fat (aka oil) in the paint and enable the paint to dry faster. This is keeping the paint thin (aka lean).
2nd Layer = Increase the oil content by adding a medium like Galkyd fast-drying medium
3rd Layer (if needed) = Increase the oil content by continuing to add Galkyd and alternate with Neo Megilp when you need or want to glaze.
Final Layer - Increase the oil by adding Solvent-Free Gel to the paint and get a fabulous shine to the oil paint and thick, gorgeous brush strokes.
Here is a link to all the products that I use for my oil paintings and after 20+ years of painting, not a single one has cracked because I adhered to the rule of "Fat Over Thin"
Online Oil Painting Course Preview
All of my oil painting courses follow the rule "Fat Over Thin" to ensure the longevity of the paintings. To learn the proper oil painting technique, join the Positive Painters and gain access to this course and more.
For Positive Painter Online Artist Community Members, this course is located in the Mini Painting Courses in "My Library"
