Figure with a still-life in Oils – How to Paint Realistic Hands in Oil

Art Lesson 44, Part 10

Discover how to paint a Figure with a still-life in Oils

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How to Paint Realistic Hands in Oil

The method of painting the hands is identical to painting the face. First we did the under-painting in brown colors. The next step was dead colors. Then full-color painting was done on top of the dead layer. At this moment we are at the finishing stage of painting the hands. The hands are almost complete, but not as three-dimensional as we want.

Now we’re mixing the White, Yellow Ochre Light, and Cadmium Red. The White paint is dominant and the mix appears as off-white. The paint is applied in a thick layer with the soft, flat brush that gradually spreads out the paint. Then the clean brush is used to spread out the paint even further, so it gradually disappears on the edges. There was no medium used in this case.

Next, we are continuing to darken up the cast shadows from the sleeve and brush using the glazing technique. For this task the round, medium brush is used. A thin, semi-transparent glazing layer of Transparent Maroon paint mixed with a little bit of Cadmium Red and Linseed Oil as a medium is applied here. At the very end, the same mix of Transparent Maroon and Cadmium Red (without Linseed Oil) is used again. This time you may use your fingers to spread the paint.

Here is the final result of our multi-layered painting. The “wet-on-dry” technique is used in this artwork. This technique involves painting with fresh (wet) paint on paint that is dry, rather than on paint that is still wet.

In this video lesson you have learned one of the most difficult oil painting techniques, which required time, attention, skills and dedication. Now, with your new knowledge and skill you can create your own great masterpieces.