How to Paint With Oils on Canvas in Reverse

Oil paints can be tricky to work with, but their bold colors and quality are hard to beat.

Painting in reverse can have several meanings. Traditionally, reverse paintings are done on glass. The artist applies the paint in such a way that the design is viewed correctly from the opposite side of the painting. Reverse painting can also be done on canvas, but in a different way. In a regular oil painting, the background is painted first, followed by the foreground. A reverse oil painting on canvas is switched around so that you paint the foreground and then fill in the background.

Things You'll Need

• Oil paints
• Palette knife
• Palette
• Brushes in various sizes
• Turpentine
• Jar
• Varnish

Instructions

1. Squeeze a small quantity of paint onto a palette. All you need to begin with is a blob the size of a quarter for each color.

2. Blend the paints using a palette knife, so that you have the colors you want.

3. Dip a paintbrush into the first color and apply it to the canvas to form part of the foreground.

4. Pour varnish into a jar and dip the used paintbrush into it for cleaning.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the foreground is complete, and then move on to the background.

6. Allow the paint to dry before covering the finished painting in varnish. The paint could take up to six months before it is completely dried.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint in a well-ventilated room to avoid inhaling paint and turpentine fumes.

References

• Wrap Candy; "What is a Reverse Painting?"; Mayanne Mackay
• Oil Painting for Beginners: Oil Painting Skills
• Guide to Oil Painting; "Oil Painting Overview"; Bill Martin