Try Old World Painting, The Rub Out Method

“Rubbing Out” is a technique used for painting dating back to Michelangelo in the “old world”. This method uses colors such as Raw Sienna and Burnt Umber in a “rub-out” style of painting. The artist generally applies the paint to a board or canvas in a block section; he then uses a rag to remove the paint in order to create an image. This technique of painting teaches the artist the light value, while working from a dark to light area in a subtractive method of painting.

Here is a method for the Rub Out technique:

1. Linseed oil- Pour over panel with a rag, cover well and wipe off the excess.
2. Position- Sketch the outline of the head of the panel using #4 sable brush, apply with a little paint mixed with linseed oil.
3. Mix- Combine 75% Burnt Umber with 25% Raw Sienna to retard drying. After mixture dries, approximately 4 hrs, add a drop of olive oil to retard approximately 6hrs. Limit olive oil to no more than 10 drops to 1 inch of paint. Dry time approximately 16 hrs.
4. Rag- Use the same rag to rub on the paint mixture, indentify the main shapes, with solid dark over the face and extend the paint over the tops and sides. Remember the face is the detailed area; you can surround it with abstract or impressionistic work as desired.
5. Smooth- Using a #2 bristle brush, smooth out the layers of paint getting rid of the heavier layers of paint. Be sure to fill any cracks you might see by scrubbing and pouncing.
6. Rub Out- With the rag covering the ball of your thumb pull the rag tight and begin rubbing the big area first and work toward the smaller areas. Move your thumb to the clean parts of the rag as needed. Keep on rubbing until it is light enough.
7. Check- Look over your work to see if you need to add more paint to darken an area.
8. Blend- Be sure to get rid of any heavy areas.
9. Fan Brush- Use a fan brush to gradate the rubbed out area and soften the edges.
10. Pointed Corner- Fold the cloth four times, eight layers for small areas.
11. Adjustments- make any adjustment by working the rag back and forth, blending in, wiping out, and maybe adding a little paint here and there.
12. Runs- When you are completed, load the bristle fan with paint thinner and a cobalt drier for runs. Starting at the impressionistic area and lower edge, thin the paint and let it run to the bottom.
13. Signature- Add your signature with linseed oil and paint.
14. Mineral Spirits- Lay the panel on the floor and splatter mineral spirits onto it. To eliminate the sharp lines remove the tracing paper and spatter close along the masked edges.
15. Dry- Allow two or more days to dry before you apply glaze.
16. Finishing Touch- Apply gold, copper, or silver leaf to background to brighten it up, finish with one coat of varnish applied with a hogs hair fan brush.

Copyright 2007 Janice J. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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