Vendangeuse after Bouguereau

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Geary.

Scumbling is said to have been invented by Leonardo Da Vinci. In italian it

[Marvin Mattelson]

Good answer Alan. I wasn't aware of the historical facts regarding either.

Geary the primary difference is that glazing is done with transparent colors and scumbling is using paint with white added. Scumbling doesn't darken the way glazing does. You can scumble on any type of paint and that is what Ken Davies is referring to, scumbling the application and not scumbling the technique.

[Jeremiah White]

I'm surprised that there isn't much in depth information on scumbling on the internet.

One thing I'm confused on is that with scumbling, an opaque layer of paint is meant to cover the underpainting. Does this cover the underpainting completely or mostly so it's used more as a guide for the upper layers? How much of the painting underneath supposed to show? Is the under painting meant to be a grisaille or is it just exaggerated color that's toned down with the scumble?

Thanks for the info on this Marvin. I did look at that demo on your website and I think that I'm getting confused since you have a grisaille layer and also the overstated layer. With the scumble, is medium used to thin it so it goes on easier or is it just straight from the tube and worked outward?

Another thing I was wondering is if the process of painting as shown on your website helps you to complete a piece faster then common painting techniques used today? On average, how long does it take you to complete a painting?

Thanks again.

[Marvin Mattelson]

Jeremiah, I'll try to clarify the specifics about scumbling. First of all it is a more of a finishing technique the way I use it. The underpainting on my demo is not a grisaille because it contains no white paint.

The drawing is scratched into a tone that matches the value of the model's flesh on the shadow side. The drawing can be easily adjusted since it is drawn into a wet tone. The lights are removed with a rag and the darks are painted in with pure paint. This technique goes back hundreds of years. It's called a wash-in. The purpose is to establish composition, light, values, edges and drawing. Over this I lay in opaque color. When this is dry I scumble over it and then paint into the wet scumble. Scumbling helps create unity in areas that I feel I've over-modeled. I may repeat this process a number of times until I'm happy with the refinements. My portrait of Sylvia at seventeen is a good example of this technique. http://www.fineartportrait.com/sylvia_enlarged.html

The scumbling is done a variety of ways depending on the effects desired. It can be done more or less transparently depending on how translucent you wish to make the veil of paint. I always add a little oil to my paint to increase the flow. I try not to oil it too much since this doesn't make a particularly strong film.

I utilize a number of different ways of applying my paint depending on the texture I'm trying ti replicate. In my workshops I spend approximately half of the time demonstrating and explaining what I do and what the purpose is behind each action and decision. I feel that if people can see the proper way to do something they will do much better than if they weren't clear and tried it on their own.

My students always have the option of watching me paint or painting on their own depending on what I'm demonstrating and where they're at in the painting process. It's very difficult to grasp the feel of different painting techniques based on verbal description or even pictures or videos. That is why I teach. I think being there, seeing what's going on and being able to question is the best and most efficient way to learn.

I am always delighted at the level progress my students make. It's very inspiring.

[Jeremiah White]

Thank you very much for your help. I'm going to try and use these techniques in my next painting.