Two layer stacks. Right order: lean layers with more solvent at the bottom, fat layers with more oil on top, each layer more flexible. Wrong order: a thin lean top layer over thick, oil-rich, slow-drying paint has wrinkled and cracked.

Concept · Working With Each

Fat Over Lean

Fat over lean is the rule for layering oil: the oiliest paint goes on top.

University of Delaware conservators phrase it as flexible over less flexible.

  • The National Gallery, London, traces wrinkling and cracks to a top layer setting while paint below is still soft.
  • Acrylic has a similar rule: avoid watery washes over thick, glossy acrylic.

Image: Made for this site · Original work

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