Art Instruction/ Oil painting an Old Dog 

Hi Ryan, Did you paint your dog? Hope it went well!

Thanks so much!

Yes! That is what is meant. I think of the word "fat" as meaning "oil"...or medium. (When I cook using butter, or olive oil, it just makes the food better!) As soon as you use the medium, or oil, all following layers need to have the medium added.

NettieKStudio thank you for replying. I've messed with the bob ross wet on wet technique but for things other than doing landscapes I find it hard. I'm messing with oil paints and layering and learning as I go. Thanks again.

Sometimes, if the paint is new and of high quality, it can have a rich, buttery texture. I have watched many videos of Helen Van Wyk over the years and she never used any medium...that I know of. I wish I knew what kind of paints she used. Her secret to making the paint go on smoothly was to use more paint. She would load her brushes with about twice the amount of paint that most artists would think to use. (I think I will try that next!)

NettieKStudio I've tried adding more paint but what I found is that it got pushed to the top of my bristles instead of being pulled off by the canvas. I use preprimed canvases; however, I think I also need to add another layer of 2 of gesso before I apply oils. Would this help make paint spread. Also, I found when I add linseed oil to later layers the paint is more transparent and I often sometimes struggle getting the look I want. I'm guessing when I apply the underpainting I should try to plan ahead knowing some of it will show through. Does it sound like I'm on the right track?

It is a balancing act at times. You will want to add about 2/3 Odorless thinner to the linseed oil or Stand Oil in order for it to work properly. one of my favorite mixtures is 1 part Stand Oil to 2 parts Odorless Thinner. You have to stir it with a stick in order to get it to mix thoroughly, but it makes a great medium for spreading paint. There are some paints that are made to be transparent: Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Pthalo Blue, and most yellows. In order for those colors to be opaque another color has to be added, such as white. The more opaque colors, (less transparent) are White, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Cerelean Blue...to name a few.

Hi Shelia, Usually the first layer or under drawing is done by adding odorless thinner. After that you can use the paint straight from the tube or add medium. Once you start adding medium, like Neo Megilp or Liquin, you need to keep adding the medium to all layers. My paint is sometimes just too stiff...by the end of the tube, to avoid medium, but it also adds a translucency and sheen in the end. Hope that helps!