One of the basic and most used painting techniques of an artist is the scumbling painting technique. This technique is all about applying new layers of pain while showcasing the underpainting which is most likely to incorporate the effects as the dry-brush technique. However, the difference is you are creating depth on the new dab of paint from your paintbrush or cloth or piece of paper as an alternative.

What are the benefits of using a scumbling painting technique for your artwork? What is the best painting medium to use the scumbling painting technique with? How do you properly create the depth of colors when it comes to the scumbling painting technique and the difference from other painting techniques you can try with?

Great Benefits of Scumbling Painting Technique To Every Artist

There are many great benefits that an artist can achieve with the scumbling painting technique. And knowing when to use this painting technique gives you the feeling of knowing more and achieving that desired effect on your painting surface. The scumbling painting technique is mostly used to add extra texture pigment and depth to the oil painting surface which builds a unique highlight that is on the top layer of paint and with still visibility of the background.

Exposing the underlayer of paint from the new dab of paints applied creates a unique surface texture of the artwork. It is essential to keep the underpainting completely dried to achieve the right effects of the scumbling technique. Though that also depends on the style and preference of an artist as to how they wanted the scumbling effect on their artworks. There are some techniques and style that allows the underpainting to still be wet when they scumble to create a unique impasto (mixing) or blending of colors from the top layer of the paint.

The scumbling technique can be incorporated with either the transparent or opaque colors on the top layer. Though the effects are different and dynamic if you are using an opaque color, white color, or yellow ochre to create the depth of the painting. If you will make a scumbling effect, it is best that this will be done with a darker background to highlight the sense of depth and texture on the painting surface.

The optical illusion created from the area where you scumbled is best viewed from a distance or afar and once you look at them closely, the visible brush stroke and brushwork can be seen and make a unique texture afterward. The way you wanted to execute the scumbled effect on your painting is entirely different from how your style will be. There are some painters who used a dried paintbrush, pencil, or even colored pencil for the scumbling painting technique and some useful pieces of cloth or paper towel just like the way that you are using a sponge on your painting surface for extra depth and style.

Regardless of all the different styles and reasons as to how they wanted the painting technique to take effect on the painting canvas or surface. It always gives unique and especially atmospheric effects on artwork afterward.

The Painting Medium That Best Work With The Scumbling Painting Technique

Though the scumbling painting technique is traditionally known for oil painting, this can also be done using acrylic, watercolor paints, and even wet paint. The effects and how you can glaze or manipulate the oil paint have almost the same effects when you wanted to create depth and texture to acrylic and watercolors. There may be different painting medium that incorporates the scumbling technique but the process and methods are always the same.

There are different benefits and reasons as to why artists like Rembrandt and Titian used the scumbling painting technique in their artworks:

• The scumbling technique is traditionally used to add texture and depth to the painting surface while showing the underpainting as well as stippling and it is visible to the eye of the viewer and the painters.
• If you are trying to create an atmospheric scene on your painting or artwork, then this painting technique is a great deal for the effect that you wanted.
• When you notice that the background of your painting has this monochromatic skin tone view shading or feels, then you can try the scumbling technique to break the whole area up.
• The scumbling technique is great for giving additional effects on your drawing and highlights to a dark colors tone background.
• Another great benefit for the scumbling technique is the color blending illusion that you can make which also allows the whole picture to have a smooth transition of colors from one area to another and the colors that were used as well.

The Best Method For Scumbling Painting Technique

There are different methods on how you can successfully incorporate this painting technique with your artwork to achieve the right effects depth on the surface. Though commonly, you always use a thin layer of paint for scumbling. The reason is if you happen to use a thicker layer of paint, then the possibilities may cover the underpainting instead of just creating a highlight or adding texture. You can start with the darker area on your artwork using a small dried paint brush that is dab on lighter colors of paint and just slightly squeezes the paintbrush to remove any excess dry paint in it. You can also use linseed oil to improve the flow of your paint. That way, you are creating a thin light layer of highlights or varnish brush strokes while complementing the underpainting.

If you are into watercolor painting medium then it is best to just let the paper or background be like how it is rather than scumbling effect to expose the paper. If you happen to make mistakes in covering some areas on your paper with watercolors or ink, then you can retrieve those lighter area by adding white colour or translucent paint or even using masking fluid on your next painting sessions.

When you are scumbling, avoid using different types of painting mediums and just use plain paints not chalk and pen or colors for the areas that you need to enhance or highlight. There are different and beneficial ways on how you can use the scumbling technique in your painting or artwork. It is just a matter of experimentations and exposure to fully understand the nature and benefits of this painting technique.

There are different ways artists of every generation had used this painting technique and by distinctive and small details to how each artist used this can truly see the different ways. If you have time to walk or go to the next art exhibit next to you or any museum will help you distinguish the effects and results for this painting medium. You can start working with samples to start understanding this process and later on try working to improve your skills with the painting technique.

There are ways on how you can scumble with broken colors and transform them with an optical illusion of colors and highlights that create a unique style. Landscapes, seascapes, and atmospheric view and effects are some of the results you can create with scumbling techniques. There is still a lot of different pastel oil painting and style to work on and explore with. It is just how you wanted to expand your horizons in the world of art to gain more knowledge of the different acrylic painting shading and techniques. With the right knowledge for all the elements of arts and the way you use them with the right principles of arts and its composition, then surely, you can make a unique artwork that is built by your own style into this dynamic world of colour and inspiration.