Art Glossary: Glaze

Definition:

The term used for a thin, transparent layer of paint, particularly in oil painting and acrylics. Glazes are used on top of one another to build up depth and modify colors in a painting. A glaze must be completely dry before another is applied on top.

See:

• Top Tips for Painting Glazes
• Painting Glazes in Oils or Acrylics
• An Oil Painter Reveals His Glazing Secrets
• An Acrylic Painter Reveals His Glazing Secrets
• Step-by-Step Demo: Painting Glazes with Acrylics
• Demo: Painting Glazes with Watercolor
• Opaque and Transparent Colors: How to Test

Also Known As: In watercolor painting, a glaze is often called a wash. A glaze done with an opaque pigment is called a velatura.