A solvent such as turpentine or mineral spirits reduces the paint's viscosity, making it more "open" (drying slowly) and easier to spread for initial blocking-in. Ignoring this principle risks the cracking of the paint film, as a stiff, dry layer (lean) cannot flex with a soft, flowing top layer (fat).
Professional Oil Painting Terms Decoded
"Fat" refers to paint with a high ratio of oil to pigment, making it slick, translucent, and slow to dry. The terms describing this interaction define the structure of the artwork.
"Lean" paint, conversely, has more pigment and less oil, behaving more like tempera and drying quickly. This glossary moves beyond simple definitions to explore the practical implications of each term, empowering painters to make informed decisions that directly impact the texture, luminosity, and longevity of their work.
Professional Oil Painting Terms Decoded
For the working artist, the vocabulary of the medium is not merely academic; it is the functional language of manipulation, describing how a viscous medium behaves on a support and how light interacts with a cured film. This technique is excellent for creating atmospheric effects, such as mist or the subtle variation of skin texture, where the underlying tone subtly peeks through the top layer.
More About Oil painting terms
Looking at Oil painting terms from another angle can help expand the discussion and give readers a second clear paragraph under the same section.
More perspective on Oil painting terms can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
