Paint thinned with a medium is applied as a transparent layer that allows previous layers of paint to show through. Artists can vary the amount of pigment in each layer of glazing, using more or less thinner/medium in order to increase or decrease the transparency.

Glazing techniques can be used to slowly build up detailed rendering of form.

With glazing, artists can initially work in monochrome to work out the composition, drawing, and placement of the subjects/shapes. Subsequent layers of glazing can then be applied to add color.

Featured: Panel from The Ghent Altarpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck