
Is there a way to tone it without using turps? Can I use nothing to thin the paint? And how do I do it? Thank youĪnswer: In my experience, it's better if the toning is thin, so if you are using oils and can't thin with solvent, maybe you can consider toning with acrylics thinned with water. Question: I would like to try toning a canvas but I'm not allowed to us turps since it is toxic and smells bad. What would be a good color for the tones ground?Īnswer: Maybe starting with a yellow ochre or burnt sienna ground will help. Question: I am painting a portrait with warm yellow tones. Once you start applying oils, you have to continue with them. You can apply oil over acrylic or water-based paint, but never the opposite. The only rule you need to remember is to always apply "fat over lean". But sometimes I do the toning with acrylic and then proceed to paint with oils. If I'm going to paint with oils, I may tone with oil paint thinned with odorless solvent. Sometimes I use ink, sometimes I apply colored paper for a mixed media effect. Question: Do you always use acrylic paint to tone your support before you start painting?Īnswer: If I'm going to paint with acrylics I always tone with acrylics or with another water-based paint. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

On the other hand, clashing colors may get overstimulating, creating a chaotic and confused result.įocus on value contrasts to create interest, and make sure you have a dominant color and one or more minor players in each piece.

Harmonious combinations are not very stimulating, and the viewer may lose interest quickly. When choosing your ground color, it is very important to assess how the finished painting will look.


The Ground Tone Is Your Painting's Foundation If you end up completely covering the ground color in some areas, you can always paint some small details using the ground hue on the surface later on to achieve that same sense of unity.
