Mud Valley Reflections 2

Artist's Gallery

Second Layer

After the first wash of oils had dried, I was ready to continue. I mixed full-strength oils in bolder colors to apply over the corresponding areas of the wash. The grass came out in smooth, brilliant shades of green, and the sky was a mixture of white and light blue. The trees, on the other hand, needed more texture. I loaded a scruffy-type brush with several shades of paint and dabbed it on, blending the leaves into the sky at the top. This is the beauty of oils: because they dry very slowly, you can accomplish a lot more blending. I could paint the sky and half an hour later still blend the tree leaves into it. You can especially see this effect in the grass. I think this blending ability produces a more professional, uniform painting in the end. Another benefit of oils is the brilliant, lasting colors that can be achieved. Acrylics just aren't as glossy, pigmented, or rich.