Artist Problems - Fat Over Lean

Fat Over Lean is the all encompassing catch phrase of proper oil painting technique.  Paint fat over lean and you are ensuring a lifetime of happy little trees!  Right…?

Well, as with most things, there is a bit more to it than just the simple generalization of fat over lean.  Your fats can be TOO fat and your leans can be TOO lean.  What makes a paint fat or lean?  How do I know I am painting my layers in the correct order?  Just like the Karate Kid, we must learn balance!  In this video we’ll discuss some of the misconceptions of painting fat over lean and learn about the 3 elements that go into a properly balanced oil painting.  I’ll also share with you some basic oil medium recipes for making your own fat and lean mediums.  So hold on to your hats, as this is one of the more advanced Artist Problems you might run into.

[JerrysArtarama]

Enjoy Mike Not Jerry's humor? Be sure to check out his YouTube Channel!

[ATINKERER]

Wow! I have never heard so many mistakes and misconceptions about oil painting in my life! I think that oil painters listen to old wives tales, believe them, and teach them to other oil painters. This video is proof of that.

[suitelady]

I have rarely been this confused. :-)

[DanielaEasterProgressiveArt]

You always make my day! How cool that my teen oil painting class tonight is on this topic! Another point worth mentioning is in order for the first layers to be lean, the amount of paint used in the first layers also matters. Big thick globs will take longer to dry than thin paint spread out. So Fat over Lean (what the layers contain such as oils or mediums), Thick over Thin (the physical amount of paint in the layer), and Slow Drying over Fast Drying (as far as the attributes of the paint/ pigments such as slow drying Alizarin Crimson). I found the point on not using thinners in the first layers interesting. I've done it for years and have never had any lifting - perhaps it's just a matter of time! I also use alkyd oils since I work in layers. I have used Liquin in the past but I think I'll give some of your suggestions a try to see if I notice a difference. Especially the Spike Oil. Keep up the good work!

[ShotDownInFlames]

My biggest issue is with the solvents. Turpentine is bad, odorless spirits are bad even something like Gamsol. I'll give spike oil a try.
Very informative, thanks.

[janabailey]

I got it! Yes, you explained perfectly! Thanks! It is not an easy thing to explain as it is certainly involved, but you made it clear to me.

[ChristinaFurnerWebber]

Oh boy! I don't think I'll ever try oil painting 😳

[cassy]

Waao... Certainly the right balance of fun and serious ...

[TheArtGearGuide]

I love Fridays and not just for the obvious reasons but because your videos Mike mate, I love them. Always learning something new and you and your team just make the videos so much fun. Love you guys. I got to say this video was a bit more taxing on my old brain, but in fairness, day changing to night can be an increbily taxing event for my brain to process. You guys must have so much fun making these videos.

[DanceswithDustBunnies]

Whatever happened to the days when we just blocked with turps, painted with linseed oil, finished with a coat of damar, and clean up with turps, soap and water? Vot iss dis fat und lean?

[TheRealMythril]

Does fat over lean still apply with water miscible oil paint? ( like Holbein duo Aqua, Cobra or Winsor and Newton Artisan range?) and how does that work? What is fat or lean in those scenarios?

[tomgarney]

I like the idea of the pre mixed mediums. I have been using gamsol as my lean and 50% linseed/50% gamsol as my fat. But it still sinks in. She is right about varnishing over a painting that isn't painted with the correct medium. The sunk parts will still be sunk, even after gloss varnish. So I think I am going to look into these two products. Also it speeds and simplifies the painting process, and that's something we all need to strive for. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!

[NannyDeb]

Awesome explanation! thanks hadn't heard this anywhere!

[claireschlaikjer]

Has anyone tried the Chelsea Classical Studio Fat/Lean mediums with Holbein Duo Aquas? I've seen some reviews of other brand's products not working well with the Holbein.

Can anyone recommend what mediums to use to thin Holbein Duo Aquas for good fat over lean practices? There are only a few Holbein Duo Aqua branded mediums -- would the painting oil, or quick dying liquid be a suitable thinner/lean medium?

[seasidenomads]

So...can you use spike oil to thin watersoluable oils? Thanks

[carissafarrarclf]

I know I'm about 3 years late but I'm having a problem with paint staying on my canvas. Like when I get my base layer down and try to paint over it, it will come off onto my brush instead of leaving the new color down.

[sheliacruz]

Okay, trying to "get it". Layer one spike only with paint. Let dry. Layer two do I mix the lean mixture into the oil paint and then apply. Layer three and at which point or "layers" do I add the fat mixture and do I continue to add more mixture to paint until it's mostly fat . I like to paint in glazes. How do this work from a glazing perspective . Great video .

[JeanneGS]

I've seen those Chelsea Studio mediums advertised on Jerry's website and in the store. Can they be used the same way with Water Mixable Oil Paints. (I only use water for clean-up. I don't thin the paint with water.) I have a Lukas paint set, and a few from other brands, including W&N Artisan, Grumbacher Max, etc. I am a novice at oil painting, so I'm trying to get this "fat over lean" concept down. I have some of the Lukas mediums. Thanks for the video; I always learn a thing or two from your videos - sometimes helpful things! (😁)

[TheFordonGreeman]

The way I remember fat over lean while I'm painting is...I paint with acrylics (I'm sorry.)
On a more serious note I wonder why no other companies make their oil mediums so easy to understand, so I might try it now!

Does the fat over lean rule apply with water-soluble oils as well?

[JanineMarieChrysler]

Ever since I tried making hard tack unsupervised at home in middle school and melted a 12" circle in the carpet in front of the stove, all art supplies have been dry or water media. My relatives still talk about that. No chemistry set for me.