Art Tips #12: Oil Paint Layering Explained (Fat Over Lean Made Simple)
ZR Fine Art
1,843 views
Art Tips #12: Oil Paint Layering Explained (Fat Over Lean Made Simple)
In this video, I walk through one of the most important concepts in oil painting—fat over lean—and how it actually works in practice. If layering has ever felt confusing or inconsistent, this breakdown will help clarify how to build your painting in a way that’s both structurally sound and visually effective.
Using a portrait study, I demonstrate how to approach early lean stages, when and how to introduce richer paint, and how different mediums affect the behavior of each layer. Toward the end, I also introduce a less conventional medium that shifts the surface in an interesting way.
Along the way, I share a more intuitive approach to painting—allowing the image to emerge through the process rather than locking it in too early.
If you have questions about layering, mediums, or your own process, feel free to leave them in the comments.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:20 What is Fat Over Lean?
02:45 Building Structure with Tools
05:09 Understanding Mediums (Galkyd, Neo-Megilp, etc.)
06:30 My Approach with Water-Mixable Oils
10:21 Developing the Painting Intuitively
12:10 Introducing a New Surface Medium
13:55 Final Thoughts & Refinements
8 Comments
I would have great trouble proceeding with bold marks and bold color when the painting is looking so finished...but of course you mastered this process beautifully. Thanks for sharing.
Art Tips #12: Oil Paint Layering Explained (Fat Over Lean Made Simple)
ZR Fine Art
1,843 views
Art Tips #12: Oil Paint Layering Explained (Fat Over Lean Made Simple)
In this video, I walk through one of the most important concepts in oil painting—fat over lean—and how it actually works in practice. If layering has ever felt confusing or inconsistent, this breakdown will help clarify how to build your painting in a way that’s both structurally sound and visually effective.
Using a portrait study, I demonstrate how to approach early lean stages, when and how to introduce richer paint, and how different mediums affect the behavior of each layer. Toward the end, I also introduce a less conventional medium that shifts the surface in an interesting way.
Along the way, I share a more intuitive approach to painting—allowing the image to emerge through the process rather than locking it in too early.
If you have questions about layering, mediums, or your own process, feel free to leave them in the comments.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:20 What is Fat Over Lean?
02:45 Building Structure with Tools
05:09 Understanding Mediums (Galkyd, Neo-Megilp, etc.)
06:30 My Approach with Water-Mixable Oils
10:21 Developing the Painting Intuitively
12:10 Introducing a New Surface Medium
13:55 Final Thoughts & Refinements