You can glaze your oil painting when the area you intend to glaze is completely dry to the touch.
While oil paint can take months to dry thoroughly, the provided reference states that for the purpose of glazing, "dry to the touch" is sufficient. However, it is crucial that every bit of the area you plan to glaze is indeed touch-dry.
Why Must It Be Touch-Dry?
Glazing involves applying transparent layers of paint over dried layers to create depth, luminosity, and subtle color shifts. According to the reference:
- If the underlying opaque color is not fully touch-dry when you apply a glaze, it can lift.
- When the underlying color lifts, the glaze can lose its intended translucency and the layer becomes muddy or disturbed.
Practical Considerations for Glazing
Ensuring the surface is touch-dry is the key step before applying a glaze.
- Test the Surface: Gently touch the painted surface in the area you plan to glaze. It should feel firm and not tacky or yielding.
- Check All Areas: Pay particular attention to thicker passages of paint, as these will take longer to dry than thin washes. Every part of the area to be glazed must meet the touch-dry standard.
- Drying Time Varies: Remember that drying time for oil paint depends on factors like paint thickness, pigments used, humidity, and temperature. What is "touch-dry" for a thin layer might take significantly longer for a thick impasto area.
In summary, based on the provided information, the green light for glazing comes when the paint surface is reliably dry to the touch throughout the entire section you are working on.
