Today’s question comes from Joyce and she asks:
“I have an unfinished oil painting and haven’t worked on it in about 5 years. It is painted in the old master’s tradition and already has about 27 layers of glazing. Is there anything I have to do to the painting in order to finish it. Do I need to treat it with oil or something else. It is a portrait and I need to re-do the nose and eye area. I am 71 so my “need” is pretty much “do it now or throw it away.” My daughter wants to frame and hang it.”
Do you have any information that might help Joyce? If so, please leave your response in the comments box below. Thank you!
Joyce, yes of course you have to finish it with an oil on canvas, but first check the same canvas state.Has to be dry to start painting.If is a high quality portrait use the thinner to made best quality.Decide to do it.Be sure what are you want to achieved.Write down on paper all you want to do with a painting.Start, do details if you must no matter how long time does it takes,’cause painting gives you a joy of life….!!!!After painting is done,and proper dry use art liquids (ask proper in art store!) for adding enamel mat or high glow!
Joyce,
I think the name for those who have unfinished painting is legion. I know I have my fair share.
Rest assured you can still paint on the dried painting. I assume you did not put a final varnish on it. Clean any dust off with a soft dry cloth or brush. Apply a thin coat of the same glazing medium that you used before and paint in into this wet medium. The painting medium will improve the adhesion of your new paint layers and since it has oil in it, it will serve to condition the older paint. I would repaint a thin layer over the most if not all of the painting to “tie it all together”. Try to match your original mixes as close as possible. A little goes a long way so it really isn’t a big deal but it will make it easier to finish the eyes and nose.
Good luck and I know your daughter will be proud to hang it.
Marie has said it all! Wish we could view the finished painting Joyce.
To Julije, Marie, and Aileen,
Thank you all so much for your advice. I believe I have the info and the confidence to finish this painting for my daughter. It has never been varnished. I will post a picture when I finish. It is a painting that I started when I was taking ‘Old Master Painting” classes in the Milwaukee Art Museum. It is called “The Saint” and it is impressive. I love everything about the painting except the eye and the nose and that is saying something for me because I am my worst critic. Thank your again and also to Ralph for publishing my question.
it is very important is to dust the painting very well before starting…use a very soft brush and dust the painting completely and from all directions. Then paint away no other steps necessary if oil over oil….Rembrandt sometime took years to finish a painting so you are in good company.
Daniel
Thank you for your posts; I am in a similar situation regarding more than one oil painting that was left unfinished. I am just now starting to finish some and the comment about Rembrandt, well that gave me hope….