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Hi guys,

Can anyone give me some pointers on this guys OSL? I’ve tried to be careful but it just looks sort of…off?

Not a lot of technique at my disposal apart from some basic blending. Do I need to emphasise the shadows a bit more do you think?


Help! Also, here are my other attempts at OSL, so do need some pointers please.

This is the only one I was happy with.


Not so much these




At the back


Criticism welcome!

Good efforts!

I think the thing I can see across all of these is that your 'light' isn't light enough. You're applying colour to the right areas, so it's clear where the glow is coming from, but between the darkness of the paint (particularly the purple) and how thick it is, you give the impression that the areas actually are that colour, rather than their actual colour but reflecting light from a source.

With that in mind, here's my tips:

- Use less paint. Whether you are layering it or dry brushing it on, you still want to be able to see the original colours beneath. Think of it as tinting the areas, rather than painting them.

- Add some white to your paint to give an overall brighter look, especially on the raised areas.

When it comes to OSL, less is so often more.

By the way, don't be put off by this! It takes skill and guts to even try the technique, and you'll undoubtedly get better with practice!

I’ve had another attempt at this with a larger area, which I think looks better? What’s the verdict (other than needed a better picture)




Thinner layers take ages, and part makes me think that I need a hotter desk-lamp to speed each layers drying time.

I think that is spot on. Good work.

It looks absolutely great. It seems that you've already figured this out, judging by this latest one, but just keep in mind that light further away from its source becomes dimmer, but its hue remains the same. In other words, OSL should stay the same color, but be more saturated when closer to its source.

youidiotkid no I didn't actually, have been using progressively lighter shades the closer you get. Thanks for pointing that out!

So really you can use the same single colour/mix, but the progressively stronger layers will mean that the closer you get to the source the colour instead becomes more potent?

Looks good to me! And as for changing the shade, no it is not actually necessary, as multiple layers will naturally strengthen the tone, but adding in a little more white towards the centre can act as a shortcut that no one will really notice, as your own example proves!

Good stuff!