How to Paint “Smoldering Wick” in Acrylic: Glazing Techniques

Learn the acrylic glazing technique to bring light and depth to your portrait

I’ll show you how to paint “Smoldering Wick” in your acrylic portrait using glazing technique in a 30 x 40 painting. Because this piece was inspired by my personal journey through discouragement and finding encouragement in scripture, specifically from the Book of Isaiah. The glazing technique, a method popular among old masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Vermeer, where they add depth, luminosity, and rich layers to acrylic paintings. Then you’ll learn step-by-step how to apply glazes to your artwork, creating realistic and captivating results.

What Is the Glazing Technique in Acrylic Painting?

Acrylic glazing involves layering translucent paint over dry layers to build depth and modify colors, of course, without losing underlying details. Because this technique is commonly used to create luminosity, enhance vibrancy, and achieve a realistic look. To do this, I mix clear matte medium with acrylic paint to thin it, allowing light to pass through the layers. Basically, this method is perfect for painters seeking to build up subtle shifts in value, color, and detail.

How Smoldering Wick Was Created:

Smoldering Wick is a deeply symbolic painting depicting a discouraged man, uplifted by a servant refilling a lamp—representing hope and light. The servant, symbolizing Jesus, adds oil to the lamp, brightening the flame. The light not only enhances the visual appeal of the piece but also conveys the message of encouragement during dark times.

By using the glazing technique, I add layers of transparent color to gradually create depth and contrast. This approach preserves the underlying brushwork while providing a rich, luminous finish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Glazing in Acrylic

Start with a Matte Medium Base: So, I begin by preparing my palette. Use a clear matte medium to mix with your acrylic paint. For Smoldering Wick, use a combination of dark brown (raw umber), yellow ochre, and a small amount of white to adjust the value. Afterwards, matte medium helps to thin the paint, making it semi-translucent.
Apply Thin Layers: Lightly brush the paint onto your canvas in thin, smooth layers. So, begin by adding texture to the map depicted in his painting, using his fingers to gently blend the paint. But this finger-blending technique ensures that no harsh edges remain, creating a seamless and natural look.
Gradual Color Building: Work gradually with glazes. I also added layers of raw sienna and a small amount of white, following the lines of the old-world map in the painting. Then, building up layers slowly ensures that each color shift is subtle, allowing the light to shine through the glazes, which enhances the painting’s luminosity.
Refining Details with More Glazes: For fine details, such as the boat in the background of Smoldering Wick, I apply several layers of glaze, allowing each layer to dry before adding another. I revisit the area that was previously painted to enhance contrast and depth by working over existing layers with new, thin washes of color.
Creating Smooth Gradations: Eventually, to achieve smooth transitions between light and dark, I use a combination of ochre, ultramarine blue, and phthalo blue mixed with clear medium. Then, apply the glaze using crisscross strokes, ensuring that the paint is evenly distributed and blended. This method is especially effective for creating smooth, luminous shadows, as seen in the painting’s lamp and surrounding environment.
Adjusting Warmth and Tone: After applying cooler glazes to darken certain areas, I shift to warmer glazes, afterwards, I use the mixture of red and ochre to bring more warmth into the scene. Generally, this back-and-forth layering creates a rich, complex color palette. Thinning out the medium in the later stages ensures a soft, translucent finish that still preserves the previous layers’ details.

Tips for Successful Acrylic Glazing:

Use Thin Layers: Always apply glaze in thin layers. The beauty of glazing comes from the gradual buildup of color, allowing light to pass through each layer.
Blend with Fingers: Don’t be afraid to use your fingers to blend out harsh edges. Because this technique helps to soften transitions and create a smooth finish.
Layer Warm and Cool Colors: To add dimension and vibrancy to your painting, alternate between warm and cool glazes. This creates an interesting contrast that enhances the overall depth.
Let Each Layer Dry: Patience is key. Let each layer fully dry before applying the next one to avoid muddying the colors.
Experiment with Mediums: The ratio of medium to paint can drastically affect the transparency of your glazes. Play around with different mixtures to achieve varying levels of translucency.

Techniques for Painting Light with Glazes:

In Smoldering Wick, the focal point is the lamp, which serves as a source of light and a symbol of hope. Here’s how I achieve the glowing effect:

Use Multiple Colors in the Light Source: Start with cooler, darker tones in the background, then slowly add warmer glazes near the light source, such as the lamp in the painting.
Create a Gradation: Begin with dark colors at the edges, blending towards the light source with progressively lighter and warmer glazes. This technique mimics the way light naturally spreads.
Maintain Underlying Detail: Always apply glazes thinly to preserve the detail underneath. In the painting, even the intricate lines of the map are visible through the layers of glaze.

The glazing technique is a powerful tool for adding depth, realism, and light to your acrylic paintings. As I demonstrated in Smoldering Wick, because this method allows you to layer transparent colors, creating a luminous, detailed finish. Then by applying glazes patiently and carefully, you can achieve stunning results in your work.

Whether you are painting a deeply symbolic piece like Smoldering Wick or working on other subjects, mastering glazing will give your paintings a professional and refined look.

Read more about my additional resources, tutorials, to learn more and check out my free courses here. . Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s always something new to learn and apply to your paintings. Happy painting!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me. I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.

Yours for Better Portraits,

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How to Paint “Smoldering Wick” in Acrylic: Glazing Techniques

Learn the acrylic glazing technique to bring light and depth to your portrait

What Is the Glazing Technique in Acrylic Painting?

How Smoldering Wick Was Created:

Step-by-Step Guide to Glazing in Acrylic

Tips for Successful Acrylic Glazing:

Techniques for Painting Light with Glazes:

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