How to Layer Oil Paint Right

In this video I use a chart to demonstrate how the thickness of my paint changes through a painting. I discuss when I use paint thinner, linseed oil, and nothing at all. I find this is a common problem for beginners. They start their painting off way to thick and have no room to build up the paint. Now this lesson is mainly geared toward working wet into wet or alla prima. Hope you enjoy!
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Hi, I am the son of two artists and began painting in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia before I could walk. I was a rare combination of artist and athlete so I moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to play football for USC. I left the team my sophomore year to focus on painting and filmmaking, applying the same focus and discipline from my football career to my art. I primarily work in oils, and spend most free days painting "en plein air" in my new home of Sarasota Florida.
DISCLAIMER: Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.
Instagram: FORZA43
www.chrisfornataro.com

[@flybatramirez350]

I don't know why every beginners video doesn't start with this.. This is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!

[@mheynike]

I have been so confused trying to move from Acrylics to oils, this video explains SO much. Thanks!

[@sarahrender1857]

Oh my god, thank you SO much ❤ I also struggled a lot with layering my paint... now it all makes sense. I never had a video talk so clearly about it. Thank you a thousand times! I will create my own scale and experiment a little with the amounts.

[@darrenrichards4840]

What can I say... Nobody EVER explained this to me and so many times I've created slippery mess wondering what I've done wrong questioning the paint. I was actually getting excited watching this as you've unlocked something really important for me. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this and for great explanation.

[@paintcoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnmanole4779]

​​@@paintcoach I find it so hard to do this thin to thick grid.

[@natalieo3823]

I never comment on videos but had to for this one! This is by far one of the most helpful videos I've ever seen for beginning painters like me! Thank you thank you. If I ever come across anyone else who struggles with layering, I will definitely refer them to this video right away!

[@c2rail]

Something you might address, is when we watch Bob Ross as he approaches the end of his paintings, he will say, "A thin paint will stick to a thick paint." So if he has an area of thick paint laid down and he wants to add a highlight or something similar, he will add a touch of paint thinner and then he is able to apply a thinner paint on top of the thick. So I guess it kind of goes both ways in the appropriate situations. Love your videos! Keep them coming!

[@madamschie]

oh my god. oilpaints have been the most frustrating thing ever i've done as an artist... one big reason is this. Now i want to go back and try again right away!😱🤩

[@neenakandwal6191]

My goodness!!! I started my art journey in reverse gear, painting first then learning basics. I've watched hundreds of youtube videos and this is absolutely the best video about thin to thick process. Thank you and I wish you get millions of subscribers :)

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

Those last lines, oil painting being substractive, captured the mind shift I’m fighting coming from watercolour. Great video 👍

[@SamanthaHibbs]

Thanks! I was adding linseed medium to my final level, thinking it was 'fatter' than pure paint! Explains why I was ruining my final painting with the last layers!

[@paintcoach]

Technically adding linseed oil does make it fatter. This is mainly talking about working thin to thick. Fat over lean is a separate concept that really only comes into play when you are painting over a long period of time and layers are drying between each stage. But for painting alla prima this video should help a lot in layering wet into wet paint.

[@SamanthaHibbs]

Paint Coach I haven’t got the patience for fat over lean 🤣 It’s always wet over wet- can’t leave it alone once I start.

[@meghanworkman6449]

@@paintcoach omg I thought fat over lean applied all the time and was so confused with how to reconcile that with working thin to thick. Now it makes sense!

[@moxiemovers6775]

I thought the same for a long time

[@CoIdnestea]

Wait…so if im using water mixable oils - what should i use to thin the paint?

[@katiebecker8354]

Thank you I am going to try this exercise! Can’t wait to try it. I’ve never had such a clear explanation. It probably will change my life and I won’t struggle with linseed oil. 😊

[@paintcoach]

You can do it!

[@Laoiseach24]

in all your videos you’re answering questions that i didn’t even know i had in such an easy way to understand. you sir, are a legend. thankyou

[@paintcoach]

Glad to hear that

[@alishakarriem3127]

this is probably the clearest explanation I've ever heard thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@vincentmarotta9800]

More options available between "Less Medium" and "Just Paint" is using quick-drying medium like Liquin. The new layers would be "Less Medium" ; "Liquin & Paint" ; "Less Liquin & Paint" ; "Just Paint" etc etc. This adds more versatility to thick over thin ("slow dry over fast dry") since the Liquin/Gaklyd will speed up the chain reaction inside the paint that causes it to cure/dry.

[@scottkendall5655]

Great video. Finally! An explanation of what goes into each of several layers ... All other people say is "block in" then "lay in a layer"...etc. Nobody else I've found says...okay the 4th layer is paint and less medium, etc., or provides an example test strip. THANKS!

[@ricknelson8886]

I've been watching your videos for a while and this has been helping a lot, this video explanes why I've been having a hard time painting, I get them done but I'm fighting way to hard. Thanks!

[@silverflyable]

There are a lot of fat over lean videos, but this one was the best so far. Thank you!

[@MM-pw4ft]

every time you painted over the previous layer, i gasped. its almost magic

[@alanr9634]

This was a really superb video, been following your vids for a while don’t know how this one isn’t recommended more. That damn algorithm.

[@leonormartinez6378]

I wish I’d seen this video a while ago. I’ve been doing it wrong. Will go back to see how I can rework my painting 🖼 Thanks so much!! You’re a great teacher.

[@jessicathayer3151]

this is the best painting youtube. hope more people find it.

[@SynchroDiaries]

I’m just starting out and this has saved me probably years of struggle. Thank you!

[@petraschultz7292]

Like so many other comments, thank you, thank you. You’re the best coach ! I think I can finally get those highlights right !

[@vincemazo341]

this answers a lot of questions ive been having. I took a picture of where you go thin to thick and I'm gonna experiment with it today on a painting pad. I really like your approach, and you do really well on the presentations.

[@vincemazo341]

so i did the little study with the wash proceeding up to thick paint. Then I did a little leaf study with grapes using this and something just clicked and things started making sense. Thank you so much, you are awesome!

[@oOPTICKZz]

The first 10 seconds of this video is the best info i could have gotten

[@sasc9142]

Thank you for this video! I’m in my second year of studying fine art as a degree and never fully knew how to use oil paint correctly. I always tried to paint with just straight oil paint and always had a hard time doing so. Currently following these tips in the painting i’m doing right now :)))

[@paintcoach]

Thats great! I hope this helps

[@lissam2529]

Wow this info would’ve helped SO MUCH when I tried oil painting years ago😩 I swore off oils bc it was a mess, but I think I’ll try again now using your advice. Your videos are so helpful! Thank you for explaining things so clearly

[@mard9802]

OMG I've been looking for this info for months. Alas, a clear explanation - THANK YOU.

[@paintcoach]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful!

[@marcy4227]

By far. The. Best. Video on this topic. I just needed a demo and a proper explanation. I can see where I've been going wrong. I was applying my last coat with a pallette knife for this very same reason. So now, i just need to remember this science! Thanks ❤️❤️

[@tericoffell9284]

Very easy to understand and exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for sharing it.

[@oxoniumgirl]

This helps so much!!! My gosh... this explains why I've been having so much trouble... 1) iImistook oil mediums as being more fat than paint, and "fat over lean" was what I was taught not "thick over thin" so I thought you had to add more medium into paint to get it thicker than straight from the tube, and 2) some of my paints are so thin and oily straight from the tube that there's no stiffness to them at all and they just puddle when you squeeze some out and it has like no coverage power to it at all. I'm wishing I hadn't wasted money on Water-mixable Oils and just gone straight to Artist's Oils now... sigh. (I haven't been using water as thinner, but many are the thin oily mess I mentioned above.)

[@breakfastclosed]

Water mixable isn’t the problem, they preform nearly identically. U can figure them out just keep practicing.

[@maple5703]

Thanks Chris! A fantastic video that clearly explains the process for all us visual learners!

[@paintcoach]

My pleasure!

[@lyraloon]

Thank you so much! I watch all your videos all the time.

[@skaipaints]

one of the most useful painting videos I have ever seen. thanks!

[@robindalycolor]

THANK YOUUUU!!!! I drove myself nuts this week, getting back behind the easel and using Galkyd to thin my paint… or should I say, oops, glaze. It was driving me bananas, and I didn’t know how to navigate my way out of the corner I’d painted myself into. Linseed oil ftw!!

[@joshbartlett1776]

Thank you for this video! I had really been struggling with getting started with oil paints, they felt a complete mystery to me. Your video has placed me onto the tracks so that I can begin my journey!

[@anatolistrechen6619]

Your vids are really helpfull to get the whole and at the same time enough undastanding for me! Thank you!

[@FernandoRodriguez-xd1oi]

Great explanation Chris and I think this is the reason why I am struggling with my paintings. I am definitely starting like level 4-5 so little room to make it thicker. Thank you for this excellent video! I really learn a lot with your channel so it's very appreciated

[@luke38luke]

im so glad i watched this, and so inspiring . you say so much in a short space of time i couldn't keep up at times but im glad i could go back and listen to it again . im just starting out after leaving it behind 30 years ago but mainly used acrylics back then when i was a student but just getting back into oils and dont have time to go to a classes as i live in the country in the UK and so this is so helpful . thank you so much

[@paintcoach]

You are so welcome!

[@sasc9142]

This video was super helpful, i’m in currently in my second year of being in art school and didn’t realise

[@linneadoden5597]

Great topic gave me necessary information ive been looking for

[@angelmalvarezart]

Dude you are the absolute best at explaining things well done

[@McConneyv2]

This is the best video i've seen so far thank you!

[@paintcoach]

Wow, thanks!

[@xjf459]

Now this was comprehensive and cogent. Thaaaank you🍻

[@brennerfineart]

Very good information - although I personally prefer to mix the colour right at the start and put the different colours side by side, so I don`t have to really put another layer over a not yet dried layer of colour. The underpaint I do with acrylics that are not really very thinned out - that safes me time cause I don`t have to go over it again and again until I can grab my oils for the final layer ;-)

[@youareamazingyesyou5880]

Great video, thanks. im a beginner and doing small paintings in the way you are showing and im enjoying it.... but i still worry about the fat over lean and i really dont understand why this rule dosent matter when Im painting alla prima . I try to picture how all the layers in my painting will be drying at different rates.

[@bjornviir3333]

great advice, just what i need for the missing piece of the puzzle.

[@yukiyukiko2250]

Thabk you so much🥺😭 I've been looking for this kind of explanation fr the past days . I'm so happy that I discovered yr channel..... thank yu for being so generous to us with ur advices,demonstration and yr detailed explanation 💕

[@paintcoach]

You're very welcome!

[@YT-po8ut]

Thank you !! This video was really helpful you answered some questions i didn’t even know i had, it also gave me motivation to go back and finish a painting i have abandoned ❤️

[@paintcoach]

You got this!

[@shiijam6771]

I didn't get it the first time ai watched this video.... I think today is special😅😅😅😂😂😂 thank you so much😍

[@annavernick1490]

Wow! So simple to see in demo, never really understood it before. Thank you.

[@paintcoach]

Glad to hear that!

[@nfm7011]

This is so helpful!! Thank you!! No one ever explains this!

[@cynthiamarston2208]

Amazing how long it took to figure this out! Glad i started watching these lessons however i only use oil. Poppy seed oil is the slowest drying so if its a multi day project heading for completion ( hopefully) rather than practice i use it. Otherwise linseed ( safflower or walnut which are a little slower drying than linseed). I mainly love straight paint but it rarely happens because some are too thick or even expensive even. Most paints use linseed oil but some use safflower and some poppyseed oil. I think it depends on color. You can mix oils. Maybe mix expensive with less expensive. Ha ha my life is changed you!

[@sean1388]

This was so helpful. I’m just getting into oil painting, thanks so much

[@senorstronk]

a lot of your videos are great info and helpful. much appreciated. you're talented too! I like your landscape impressions

[@rahomalqadi7702]

Thanx alot you had helped me more then any one i watched

[@lahaza6515]

THIS is exactly what I needed and at the perfect time!

[@carv7374]

Thanks a lot for this video! I had a lot of problems with this.

[@GuyMcLaren]

Phuc this is exactly what my problem is. Thank you

[@onehappydawg]

The difference between an amateur and a professional is, a professional knows how to fix their mistakes.

[@rapo1868]

Thanks, I didn't know anything about layers until now

[@mogalcat3091]

This is super useful, thanks. I wish I'd seen it when I started painting 2 years ago!

[@paintcoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vunguyennamkhue7331]

Thanks man, it helps so much! Greeting from Vietnam

[@stephenlaw9565]

Brilliant video. 5 stars from me!

[@tolgaoztemur]

Althought it seems very simple on the video, that was very hard to do on the canvas. You make greath programs. I apretiate and advice anyone.

[@mahmoudabdelhady4463]

Eye opening information, thank u for the video 😊✌🏼

[@johngeneva7936]

I'm sure I'm overthinking this, but doesn't this break the Fat Over Lean rule? I am solventless now and using just walnut oil as a medium and solvent free gel for my imprimatura work. Doesn't that make the mid layer fatter than the "thick" final layer if using only oil or does it balance out with the oil used in the binder? I was taught the "Peanut Butter" rule in school, that peanut butter won't stick to jelly but jelly will stick to peanut butter, so save the oiliest mixes for last layers or touches ('90's Ringling student, so things have changed a lot I'm sure). Thanks so much for your Patreon and this channel, I have learned a lot from following your enjoyable content and presentation.

[@blangkcanvas]

Great explanation 👌 thank you

[@davidkennedy6891]

Great video. I think it changed my life forever!

[@barbwhite6217]

Best explanation I’ve had. Can’t wait to start painting today!

[@fangirlqiqi4297]

Just BRILLIANT! Thank you so much man! Take love❤️

[@MindfulSeduction]

this is so true! Thanks man!

[@MindfulnessArtCoaching]

Thank you for posting these videos. This is what I have been missing. Never explained in class. I have a question about backgrounds. I have seen some people put a thick background on their canvase. They let it dry and then paint over that. How would you recommend preparing the canvas?

[@write2sammynow]

Beautifully explained! Thanks a lot!

[@lanefaulhaber875]

This is exactly the video I've needed for years.

[@paintcoach]

THANKS!

[@susanmitchell2310]

You are so easy to understanding! Thanks!

[@martamaniulaa]

Wow I just found your channel and it's pure gold! Subscribed and binging your videos :) Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@VicBxxx]

Brilliant simple coaching thanks!

[@TheBuldog2000]

Living your work!🙌👍🙏🙏⭐️😁😅🤗

[@TKid9]

man i love everything you say in this video arghh subscribed so fast thank you so much for the tips

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Yes for people who are relatively new ,it’s hard . I don’t go on FB or Instagram. I like to use my own mind ,not be influenced. I appreciate your patience. It does take a long time to dry . What’s the difference between Gamsol mineral spirits and odourless paint thinner? Name / quality? Or does it really matter? Thank you.

[@tedraker8576]

Thank you for making this video. It was very helpful and something I have been trying to figure out.

[@yaoyaokx.7842]

exactly what I needed thank you coach !! ;D

[@paintcoach]

Happy to help!

[@ricbuchnerart]

Hi Cris. I just bought your basic course and I'm struggling with this layering thing. One question: If I have to follow the fat over lean rule, applying medium right after the thinner layers and before the pure paint, the intermediary layers will be fatter than the final ones (paint straight from the tube). Doesn't it make more sense the layers with linseed oil come last? I mean, the linseed oil layers are more fat than the straight paint from the tube,aren't they? I am not being able to apply straight paint after the thin layers... The paint does not come off the brush, it just moves the thinner layers around. How do I fix that?

[@ToniKhoury83]

Thanks for this video! You have made my life so much easier!! Subbed and Liked good sir!

[@LevitatorMusic]

dammit!! I've been doing it backwards lol. No wonder why I've struggled so much. I've gotten to where I just block everything in with acrylic or just don't layer paint and try to just stick the exact color exactly where it belongs. Here in the next couple days I'm going to try the whole black & white underpainting with color glazing over it it's called .Grasailles or something

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Lol I didn’t know you used thinner for acrylic.

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

I use black gesso. / white gesso. I’m using oils . The acrylics dry so fast . So much still to learn.

[@elizabethhunt5536]

When blocking in with the initial turpsy wash, would you recommend allowing that to dry first before proceeding with next layers, or doesn't it matter? Most helpful video by the way

[@aldeletronica]

Muito obrigado amigo, de coração😊

[@joycehandersonfriends3225]

Help - On the first layer of underpainting thin wash what about how to keep enough binder? Or what percentage of paint to thinner do you use for an underpainting wash?

[@susanfindell6154]

Thank you for this!

[@ilinkadrieu2637]

fantastic. you are very encouraging thank you

[@afonsoazevedo34]

Well for water mixable oil : - thick paint - just paint - paint with less medium - paint with a lot of medium - paint with less water - paint with a lot of water You could add two layers : - thick paint - just paint - paint with less medium - paint with a lot of medium - PAINT WITH A LESS MIX (50% MEDIUM / 50% WATER OR TURPENTINE) - PAINT WITH A LOT OF MIX (50% MEDIUM / 50% WATER, TURPENTINE) - paint with less water - paint with a lot of water

[@davidturner5295]

Great advice I’m just starting out with oils, this really helps me). Dave -uk

[@jean-paulvaneck5309]

I was struggeling a lot with adding the right quantitiy of solvent/medium, as in using the right ratio, but thinning it way too much. So this video was really helpful. But what i don't understand is why this video is meant for painting ala prima? Is this not also the method for working with several layers (which i am using) which you give their appropriate drying times?

[@MariaHerrera-pd6vw]

This is gold! Super helpful. Thank you !! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@paintcoach]

You're so welcome!

[@yolandalobban3015]

Always informative! Thanks!

[@AzureSymbiote]

So raw paint is the thickest? Good to know because I've heard about using straight-out-of-the-tube paint as the base layer.

[@huidrombikash7174]

thnks man this is exactly wat i need

[@armohammad3146]

This is exactly what I was looking for . Thank you very much

[@paintcoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kavithajaikumar9635]

So helpful & very clearly explained 😇👍

[@paintcoach]

Glad you think so!