Over Painting a Bistre: Direct & Indirect Method to Build Textures

Utilizing a combination of both Direct (Block-in Technique) and Indirect (Glazing) Painting Methods to create textures allows the artist to build upon subsequent layers.
Typically, a Bistre (Imprimatura Technique) is used at the beginning stages of a landscape to establish composition and major shapes. Once dried, the artist can start to Block-in color local color, focusing on Hue and Value, before proceeding to build mid-tones and and introduce the beginning stages of textures. By Using a direct method, the artist is in more control of the stages of detail as opposed to an Alla-Prima method ('From the Beginning'), while indirect methods (glazing) allow to subtly shift hues to appropriate levels of value and saturation of color.

[@sharonwieland]

Would love to see you do a demo using bistro with watercolor!

[@longtinart]

They really aren’t that much different in viscosity. I don’t paint much in watercolor, but the key to this is getting the viscosity right. It needs to be thin but not so much that it runs right off the canvas. Wiping out your highlight prior to the fist stain layer drying, as long as you’ve put in the time to your sketch- it shouldn’t take that much time, dependent upon the size. Adding shadows wouldn’t be an issue at all, as you could take your time with it. Hmmm….

[@sharonwieland]

@@longtinart Thank you so much! I am expecting my set of bistre jars (colors) in a couple of days and can't wait to try them out!

[@sri638]

This session is very helpful for me
Bistre underpainting