The rubbing technique is a skill for shaping texture
Rubbing technique is an important means of shaping the texture of objects in oil painting creation. Through specific tools and techniques, it enables the pigments to produce delicate transitions and rich textures on the canvas, thereby enhancing the realism and artistic expressiveness of the picture. The following are the specific techniques for creating texture through rubbing techniques:
First, tool selection and application
Soft tools
Tissue paper: Soft in texture and highly absorbent, it is suitable for large-scale rubbing and can quickly and evenly spread the paint. It is often used for background or transition treatment of large color blocks, making the colors blend naturally and avoiding hard brushstroke marks.
Cotton fabric: With moderate water absorption and softness, it can better control the thickness of the pigment and the transition effect. When shaping the texture of an object’s surface, such as depicting the smoothness of skin or the softness of fabric, cotton fabric can handle pigments more delicately, making the texture more realistic.
Sponge: It has unique water absorption and elasticity, and can produce rich texture effects. On rough surfaces of objects such as rocks and tree bark, sponges can create irregular textures through pressing, rubbing and other methods, enhancing the three-dimensional and realistic effects of the objects.
Hard tools
The tail of the oil painting pen: The tail of the pen is relatively hard and has a certain curvature, which is suitable for rubbing and erasing in the details. When depicting the edges, textures or highlights of an object, you can gently press or rub the paint with the tail of the pen to make the details clearer and more vivid.
The edge of the scraper: The edge of the scraper is sharp and hard, which can be used to scrape paint and create a rough and hard texture. For instance, when presenting the luster of metal or the texture of glass, the edge of the scraper can create clear lines and reflective effects, enhancing the texture presentation of the object.
Second, the rubbing technique and force control
Rubbing technique
Rotational rubbing: Place the tool on the paint and, with a certain point on the canvas as the center, perform circular motion for rubbing. This technique can make the pigments blend evenly, creating a soft transition effect, and is often used to depict smooth surfaces of objects, such as porcelain and fruits.
Linear rubbing: Rubbing along a certain direction in a straight line can make the pigment produce directional textures, which is suitable for depicting objects with textures, such as wood, fabric, etc. By changing the direction and force of the linear rubbing, different texture effects can be achieved.
Dot-like rubbing: Gently touch the paint with the tip or edge of the tool to create dot-like marks. This technique can enhance the layering and detail of the picture, and is often used to depict the graininess or spots of objects, such as the starry sky and sandy ground.
Force control
Gentle rubbing: Apply less force and is suitable for areas with thin paint or where a fine texture needs to be expressed. Gentle rubbing can allow the pigments to blend naturally without damaging the underlying structure of the picture. It is often used to depict smooth and soft surfaces of objects, such as skin and silk.
Moderate rubbing: With a moderate force, it can make the pigment produce a certain thickness and texture, and is suitable for expressing the texture of most objects. When shaping the main body of an object, moderate rubbing can make the texture more rich and three-dimensional.
Rub vigorously: Apply a relatively strong force and is often used in areas where a prominent texture or special effects need to be created. Vigorous rubbing can cause the pigment to accumulate, creating a rough and heavy texture, such as depicting the hardness of rocks or the roughness of tree bark. However, when rubbing vigorously, be careful not to overdo it to avoid spoiling the overall effect of the picture.
Third, apply the rubbing technique in combination with different painting stages
Coloring stage
During the coloring stage, the rubbing technique is mainly used to quickly and evenly spread the pigment, determining the basic tone of the picture and the general light and shade relationship. You can use large areas of soft tools, such as tissues or cotton cloth, to rub the paint, making the color transition natural and avoiding obvious brushstroke marks. For instance, when painting a landscape, first use a large brush to lay out the basic colors of the sky, ground, etc., and then gently rub them with a tissue to blend the colors and create a soft atmosphere.
Shaping stage
During the shaping stage, the rubbing technique is used to further depict the texture and details of the object. According to the different characteristics of the objects, select appropriate tools and rubbing techniques to treat the surface of the objects. When depicting the skin of a character, a cotton cloth can be dipped in an appropriate amount of paint and rubbed and rotated to make the skin present a smooth and delicate texture. When depicting metal objects, you can gently scrape the paint with the edge of a scraper to create the luster and reflective effect of the metal.
Adjustment stage
During the adjustment stage, the rubbing technique can be used to make overall adjustments and embellishments to the picture. If the texture of certain parts in the picture is not ideal or the color transition is not natural enough, the rubbing technique can be used for fine-tuning. For instance, gently rub the edges of the picture with a soft tool to make them softer and blend better with the surrounding environment. Or apply dot rubbing to the highlights in the picture to enhance the flickering effect of the highlights.
Fourth, pay attention to the state of the pigment and the material of the canvas
Pigment state
The rubbing technique has certain requirements for the state of the pigment. Pigments should not be too dry or too thin. Pigments that are too dry are difficult to rub evenly and are prone to clumping. Pigments that are too thin tend to flow easily and fail to form an effective texture. Generally speaking, pigments should have a certain viscosity and be able to adhere to the canvas and form a certain thickness. Before rubbing, the consistency of the pigment can be adjusted as needed, and an appropriate amount of tinting oil or turpentine can be added for dilution or thickening.
Canvas material
The material of the canvas can also affect the application effect of the rubbing technique. Canvases of different materials have different textures and water absorption, which will affect the adhesion of pigments and the rubbing effect. For instance, the texture of coarse-textured canvas is relatively deep, making it suitable for expressing a rough and heavy feel. The texture of fine-grained canvas is relatively fine, making it suitable for expressing smooth and delicate textures. When choosing a canvas, one should select the appropriate canvas material based on the theme and style of the painting, as well as the texture effect one wants to express.