Quick Glazing Demonstration

[Scott Bartner]

The glazing process is not necessarily a straightforward, mechanical application of transparent color but can be a starting point from which the paint can be further manipulated to achieve a desired effect. Ultimately the goal is to establish a believable (and appealing) local color while assisting in the modeling of the head.

The under painting below is painted on gessoed Saunders Waterford watercolor paper mounted on panel. The picture plane is 29cm x 22cm. The texture of the paper will play an important role in the glazing process.

Note the under painting is not perfectly monochrome. Some red has been worked into her cheeks, nose and ear. A little blue was worked into the area around her temple and forehead offsetting the possibility of the flesh tone becoming too warm. When these colors are glazed over they change in appearance. Blue becomes more greenish, red more reddish ochre.

[Scott Bartner]

In terms of the glazing color, Gamblin Burnt Sienna was used with small amounts of W&N Ultramarine (Green Shade) and Permanent Rose to subdue the tendency to go too orange. (As a child, I onced discovered pens that wrote in chocolate colored ink while staying in a hotel in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The exact color I

[Scott Bartner]

With a large dry bristle brush, the fluid paint is gently tapped down wiping the brush off frequently. It was rumored that Rafael did this with a silk glove, but a brush works just as well. Once the face has been glazed, some of the transparent paint is softly swiped away in those areas of highest value revealing the highlights.

[Scott Bartner]

After allowing the face to partially dry for an hour or two a dry flat brush was dragged along the surface of her face to achieve a scumbled effect suggesting the light skimming off her skin in an almost speckled way. The watercolor paper support is ideal for producing a texture resembling the pores of the skin and accentuating the brush work in the thickly painted areas.

[Scott Bartner]

Detail of face

[Scott Bartner]

Closeup showing color and texture of paint