Dutch Masters Series — Step 6: Accents & Highlights (The Final Light)
- Durhl Davis
- Nov 11
- 2 min read
After the slow glow of glazing has deepened the painting from within, the Dutch Masters returned for the moment of clarity — the accents and highlights.This is where the entire painting sharpens, breathes, and steps quietly into its final presence.
Accents and highlights are not simply “bright spots.”In the Dutch tradition, they are the intentional touch of light that reveals the soul of the painting.
What Are Accents and Highlights?
Accents and highlights are the final opaque touches applied to guide the eye and define the hierarchy of importance.
They include:
Highlights — the highest point of light
Specular reflections — small, sharp glints on hard surfaces
Light accents — deliberate lifts on edges or planes
Dark accents — deepening a shadow to sharpen contrast nearby
Together, they complete the balance between light and shadow.
These marks are small, strategic, and placed with confidence.
How the Dutch Masters Applied Them
The Old Masters treated highlights like jewelry — precious, rare, and only added where deserved.
Their approach:
Use opaque, lean paint for crisp strength
Choose a small brush, never too soft
Place highlights only where the light truly breaks
Reinforce form, not detail
Let warm and cool shifts decide the temperature of the highlight
Avoid overuse — a few strong accents do more than many weak ones
Think of highlights as the final notes of a melody — light, decisive, and unforgettable.
What This Stage Adds to the Painting
Step 6 transforms a well-glazed painting into one that feels fully alive.
Accents and highlights:
sharpen edges where the eye needs direction
pull important forms forward
enhance the illusion of depth
reveal texture — glass, fabric, fruit, metal
add a touch of realism that glazing alone cannot create
create the final path of light across the composition
This stage brings clarity and presence. It’s where your painting quietly says, “I’m finished, almost.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Keep these points in mind:
Too many highlights → destroys hierarchy
Highlights too large → flattens form
Using pure white → creates chalky, dead areas
Highlighting everything → confuses the eye
Adding highlights before the glaze is truly dry → causes drag or smearing
Highlights should feel rare — never loud, never excessive.
Where This Fits in the Dutch Method
Accents and Highlights are Step 6 of 7 in the Dutch Masters technique.They follow the luminous veil of glazing and precede the final unifying touches.
You can return to the full guide here:👉 Dutch Masters Technique — A Step-by-Step Guide
A Note for Collectors
Collectors often enjoy seeing this stage where the light is gently placed — the moment the painting gains its final spark.Members of the Collectors Circle receive exclusive close-up photos of these accents, along with private notes from the studio.
Join the circle here: Collectors Circle
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