Women on the Bridge

surface prep

The canvas should be primed to accept oil paint. While specific priming recipes for Munch are not detailed in the sources, traditional oil painting practice involves preparing a stable ground to prevent cracking. The artist must ensure the surface is ready for the 'fat over lean' rule, where each subsequent layer contains more oil than the previous one to allow proper drying and prevent peeling (Source 6).

underdrawing

Begin by sketching the subject onto the canvas using charcoal or thinned paint. This initial step establishes the composition and forms before applying opaque color (Source 6). Munch’s approach was often expressive rather than rigidly realistic, so the drawing should serve as a guide for emotional expression rather than a strict outline to be slavishly followed (Source 8).

underpainting

Apply an initial layer of thinned paint to establish values and broad masses. This layer should be 'lean' (less oil) to ensure it dries quickly and provides a stable base for subsequent layers. This aligns with the traditional rule of 'fat over lean' to prevent cracking (Source 6).

Fat over Lean

Each additional layer of paint should contain more oil than the layer below to allow proper drying and prevent cracking. This is a basic rule of oil paint application (Source 6).

Complementary Color Juxtaposition

Placing complementary colors next to each other (e.g., red and green) intensifies their appearance and creates visual tension. This technique can be used to enhance the emotional impact of the painting (Source 5).

Expressive Use of Medium

Oil paint should be used to express feeling rather than merely imitate nature. The artist should keep the materiality of the paint visible, avoiding deceptive illusionism (Source 7).