BobBlast 630 - "Studio Painting Techniques, Part One—Scumbling"

#oilwaxcolor #drawing #art #painting

Weekly BobBlast Issue 630
Studio Painting Techniques, Part One—Scumbling

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

This week’s BobBlast is the beginning of a two part series about painting techniques I like to use. There are many techniques out there and this is just one that works for me. The first technique is referred to as scumbling (not scrumbling…). I will do a short demonstration and explain how I scumble!

Scumbling is a technique where the painter paints over a dried painting, using a very dry brush loaded with gobs of paint—leaving bits of the previous dried paint color “peek through.” The end result can be a stunning, light-filled outdoor landscape or an interior filled with brilliance and opulence.

I physically scumble around until I find the color I am after.

This technique of moving paint all around to communicate a story was dramatically shown by Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.

Here is a quick summary I follow when I want to scumble around:
Opaque paint only
Use over a dried painting
Use a stiff brush like hog’s hair
Lightly scumble, finding your focal point and original concept

This technique is popular with painters who paint depth, such as fluffy clouds fading away. Other examples are distant smokey mountains, foliage or flower fields. It’s all about the atmosphere. Scumble it!

So, no water, just paint, using the scumbling technique to lightly touch the surface. No hard edges—your edges are out of focus. Practice! It’s just a technique you might enjoy playing with.

Extra! Extra!
Don't Miss Bob's Last In-Person Workshop on the East Coast!
•September 20-26, 2026
Loosen Up with Color & Collage
Hudson Valley Art Workshops, Greenville, NY
Contact Kim LaPolla (518) 966-5219 or (888) 665-0044
https://www.artworkshops.com/workshop...