Oil Painting Techniques: Alla Prima, Glazing and Layering

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-18

On 2026-10-18

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Once you have tried oil paint, two main ways of working open up: painting it all in one go while the paint is wet, or building the picture slowly in layers. This guide explains these oil painting techniques: alla prima, underpainting, glazing and impasto, with the mediums and brushes each one needs and the rules that keep your paintings sound.

Alla prima (wet-on-wet)

Alla prima means “at first attempt”. You paint the whole picture, or a large part of it, in one session while all the paint is still wet. Colours blend on the canvas, and brushwork looks fresh and lively.

Good for landscapes painted outdoors, still life studies and quick portraits.
Mix colours carefully on the palette and place each stroke with confidence; going back over wet paint too much makes mud.
Work from dark to light, and from thin to thick paint.
Use stiff brushes that can move thick paint.

Underpainting

Many painters begin with a thin, single-colour underpainting, often in burnt umber or burnt sienna thinned with turpentine. It sets the drawing and the main lights and darks. Once dry, colour is painted on top. Our earth colours guide explains why these browns are popular for this.

Glazing

A glaze is a thin, transparent layer of colour, thinned with medium such as linseed oil, painted over a fully dry layer. Light passes through the glaze and reflects off the layer below, giving deep, glowing colour, a technique used by the old masters.

Make sure the layer underneath is touch dry.
Mix a little transparent colour with medium until it is thin and runny.
Brush it on thinly and evenly with a soft brush.
Wipe back with a lint-free rag where you want it lighter.
Let it dry before the next glaze. Each glaze can carry a little more oil than the last.

Impasto

Impasto means applying paint thickly, so strokes and knife marks stand up from the surface. It catches light and adds energy. Use a palette knife or a stiff brush. Thick paint takes much longer to dry, so add impasto in the final layers. See our palette knife guide.

Fat over lean

Whatever technique you use, each layer should contain a little more oil than the one below it, and thin layers should go under thick ones. This helps prevent cracking as the paint dries. Our oil colours for beginners guide explains the rule in more detail.

Combining techniques

Most paintings mix methods: an underpainting to set the drawing, a layer or two painted fairly directly, a few glazes to deepen shadows, and touches of impasto for highlights at the end.

Materials for these oil painting techniques

Paints: Art Rangers Oil Colour 12 × 12ml or Mont Marte Oil Paints 12 × 12ml, plus single Marie’s 50ml colours.
Mediums: FUJIN Linseed Oil 100ml or Art Nation Refined Linseed Oil, and FUJIN Turpentine 100ml for thinning early layers and cleaning.
Brushes: stiff long-handled brushes such as the Long Handle Flat and Long Handle Filbert, plus a soft brush for glazes.
Varnish: FUJIN Dammar Varnish, only when the painting is completely dry.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all oil colours and oils and mediums.

Frequently asked questions

Which technique should a beginner try first?

Alla prima on a small canvas. It teaches colour mixing and confident brushwork without waiting days between layers.

How long should I wait between glazes?

Until the layer below is touch dry, which can be a day or several days depending on thickness, colour and weather.

Can I glaze with acrylic?

Yes, using acrylic glazing or gloss medium, and it dries much faster. The principle is the same.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose paints and mediums for your technique.

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