How to Blend Oil Paintings

Blending adds depth to your paintings.

Blending is a paint technique of gradually transitioning one color to another, creating depth of color. You can use this technique with oil paints to create color transitions for scenes like sunsets or to make subtle shadows for other outdoor settings. Blending the oil paints can be done first on an artist's palette or can be created directly on the canvas. Understanding the method of blending will help your paintings look more professional.

Things You'll Need

• Oil paints
• Canvas
• Artist's palette
• Variety of brushes

Instructions

Using a Palette

1. Squirt two colors of oil paint onto an artist's palette, making each about the size of a quarter. Use two colors you want to blend, like blue and green or red and orange. If you don't have an artist's palette handy, use a paper plate.

2. Mix the colors together using the bristles of an oil paintbrush, until both are blended.

3. Apply the blended paint onto the area of the canvas where you are transitioning from one color to another.

Blending on the Canvas

1. Squirt two colors of oil paint onto an artist's palette, making each about the size of a quarter. Use two colors you want to blend, like blue and green or red and orange. If you don't have an artist's pallet handy, use a paper plate.

2. Apply one of the colors onto a section of the canvas, using a bristle oil paintbrush.

3. Apply the second color over the edge of the first on the canvas, before the first color has a chance to dry. Blend the two colors with the brush.

4. Apply the second color to the canvas under the blended portion, transitioning the colors.

References

• Guide to Oil Painting: Bill Martin's Guide to Oil Painting