How do the oil painting rules e.g. Fat over Lean apply to Oilbar painting?
The three oil painting rules apply to Oilbar when painting in layers over a long period. Most Oilbar work is “alla prima”, painted in one layer or session, and the rules do not apply. Where applicable the rules are: 1) Fat over lean or ‘flexible over less flexible’. When painting in layers, each successive layer must be more flexible than the one underneath. This is achieved by increasing the amount of medium (binder) used in each layer. A common practice is to add in creasing amounts of linseed oil into the solvent used. Contrary to many publications, neither oil absorption nor index information is required for observing this rule. 2) Often confused with fat over lean is ‘thick over thin’. Thick layers of oil are best applied over thin underlayers. If not followed, there may be a tendency for the painting to crack. 3) Slow drying colours in underlayers are not recommended.
