PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M

Portrait Painting Phase II:

Soft Scumbling Approach

OVERVIEW
In this lesson, you will explore a technique which is very similar in many ways to the direct approach.
With this method, you will be painting the large tones in immediately and then soften. The surface level
of detail is then added to the soft tones in overpainting while the paint is still wet. The edges are then
defined leaving the general softness where needed. This technique was used alongside the direct
approach by such artists as Sargent, Zorn, and Sorolla and can be effectively used in sketches, vignettes,
and almost any type of illustration and fine art.

Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

Watts Atelier of the Arts, LLC, 2013

www.wattsatelier.com

PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M
Portrait Painting Phase II:
Soft Scumbling Approach

CADMIUM
RED
LIGHT

PAPER TOWELS

YELLOW
OCHRE

TITANIUM
BURNT UMBER
WHITE
IVORY
BLACK
TITANIUM WHITE

GAMSOL
GAMSOL
WORKABLE FIXATIVE

SOLVENT CONTAINER
ERASER
KNEADED
ERASER
CANVAS PANEL

HB PENCIL

BRUSH
ASSORTMENT
(SYNTHETIC
or REAL) REAL)
BRUSHES
ASSORTMENT
(SABLES, SYNTHETIC,

MATERIAL S
PAINTS
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MISCELLANEOUS
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SETTING UP
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Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

Watts Atelier of the Arts, LLC, 2013

www.wattsatelier.com

2
1

PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M
Portrait Painting Phase II:
Soft Scumbling Approach

ASSIGNMENT 4: SOFT SCUMBLING APPROACH

In this lesson, you will be learning to move around your shapes and masses in a wet-into-wet manner.
Stay fully engaged, and learn to trust your eyes ability to spatially relate objects.
Part 1: Watch the video content. Look over supplemental handouts for further info.
Part 2: Start drawing.
1) Make sure the drawing is sound. Fix the drawing afterwards.
2) Begin your stains.
3) Work up large, general masses.
Part 3: Finish.
1) Start bringing the painting into full focus.
2) Working back and forth, bring the image into clarity.
3) Relax, and take your time. You might want to run through it more than once.
Note: When using this technique from life, you will need to attack the painting without a pencil
drawing underneath. This is much more difficult, but we will work you up to that. I will demo this
alla prima, soft scumbling approach from models a few phases from now.

- TIP This technique requires great ability to

spatially relate your shapes and placement.
We will use a drawing, but often when
working from life, you will be free-handing
the drawing by cutting and carving your
shapes in and out of each other. This is why
we work so hard on our drawing.

Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

Watts Atelier of the Arts, LLC, 2013

www.wattsatelier.com

PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M
Portrait Painting Phase II:
Soft Scumbling Approach

In this method, you will be mimicking a bit of what you learned in the
direct approach. These are very
similar. The term scumbling refers
to moving the paint around in a sort
of blending manner. It is a hard concept to explain in words.

STAIN
The mid-tone phase is the real battleground
of the painting. This is where it really gets
hot and heavy. Much of your mental resolve
will be taxed to its limits as you work to
patiently manipulate the painting with
various tools and techniques to obtain the
desired result. This is where you earn your
stripes, as the old saying goes.

MID-TONES

Taking the painting up to a finish is

again the real trick. As an artist you
will find more times than not, there
is always more that can be done.
Try your best. That is all anyone can
do. Rest assured, it will get better.

FINISH

Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

Watts Atelier of the Arts, LLC, 2013

www.wattsatelier.com

PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M
Portrait Painting Phase II:
Soft Scumbling Approach

Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

Watts Atelier of the Arts, LLC, 2013

www.wattsatelier.com

PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M
Portrait Painting Phase II:
Soft Scumbling Approach

Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

Watts Atelier of the Arts, LLC, 2013

www.wattsatelier.com

PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M
Portrait Painting Phase II:
Soft Scumbling Approach

Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

Watts Atelier of the Arts, LLC, 2013

www.wattsatelier.com

PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M
Portrait Painting Phase II:
Soft Scumbling Approach

Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

Watts Atelier of the Arts, LLC, 2013

www.wattsatelier.com

PA I N T I N G P R O G R A M
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SOFT SCUMBLING APPROACH KEYNOTES

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Preserving the Traditions of the Masters

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