Begin a Painting with Layers- Five Ways!

Welcome, Creative Journeyers!

So you have a few blank canvases or paper and you want to try something a little different, something more expressive or even spontaneous!

While this may be easier for some, it can be very daunting for most.

You might even ask yourself, “Begin with what? How? What colors, marks, shapes. How big or small should my shapes be? Which area of the canvas do I begin?

There seems to be so much information about art-making out there these days, that it can be truly overwhelming!

So, where do you begin?

Using many different layers!

In today’s blog, I will show you five different ways in which I begin a painting.

1. Start With Dynamic Layers:

Dynamic layers are the combinations of primary and/or secondary colors. Opposite colors on the color wheel. Much like the ones you find in a toy store.

In my current series, I am exploring using early layers of saturated colors such as yellows, reds, and oranges because I think these hues will be able to show through additional transparent layers. Strong hues can influence the layers applied on top depending on how opaque or translucent they are.

This is also a great underlayer in which to begin any type of painting that requires large areas of values. You can use it under a grassy landscape, a sky, figurative or still-life, especially an abstract. It provides a nice warm temperature and loose feel for a great start. Keep in mind that you can always cover up what you don’t want and then add more layers!

I like to begin any larger area of value or color this way. You can see the underlayers in my landscapes and sky in the Journeys of Stillness series.

Here, I start with thin layers of dynamic colors using various tools such as brushes, scrapers, and a brayer. I also love using drips.

I also like to use stencils as you can see with the black marks in the upper half. Stamping with any interesting object you can find around the house is fun, too!

2. Use Layers of Colours with Similar Values:

I am using turquoize of similar values along with neutral greys over a layer of marks with graphite.

I add collage papers of different shapes and sizes but with similar values for subtle areas of interest.

3. Use Dark Layers Over Light:

I paint a layer of raw umber over a previous layer of cooler hues then I paint lighter shapes or marks over darks for a much richer effect. I may add collage pieces in the quadrants at this point keeping “difference” in mind. I usually preselect a variety of papers, text, or stencils at arm’s length to grab in order to stay in the “flow” of this process.

Painting dark over light creates a much richer effect.

I begin with my larger shapes then add a neutral layer of raw umber for unity. Next, I might add something in the lower right-hand quadrant. See the image below.

I decided to use a paper stencil for the plant shape. I also added text, and imagery to evoke a feeling. Sometimes it gets too crowded so I then begin to veil things that are not needed.

4. Use DIY Mark-making Layers:

Exploring with marks is vital to discovering your own voice or style of your art.

You can use what tools you have in your art materials or around the house and in the kitchen. I have a new outlook now when going to the dollar store or even cleaning out the shed. You never know what interesting tools or gadgets you might come across to explore making marks. Just have fun! You will discover your favorites.

Here are the tools that I made out of what I had lying around. I attached them to a bamboo garden rod with painter’s tape. I do this so I will have less control, therefore, a much more interesting mark and that is what we want.

Here, I am exploring with different marks on large sheets of 90 lb. watercolor paper. So fun!

I am using inexpensive craft paint for my mark-making. I like the marks that the brayer creates.

These layers will most likely get covered up but with a thin layer of gesso and more paint. Maybe just small areas will show but they are still there.

5. Begin With a Layer of Words:

Stream writing positive messages or affirmations helps to create a positive mindset that adds to our mental, emotional, and spiritual well being. It is a part of my art process that I intend to explore further. More to come about this very soon! I like to call it “Art and Soul Journaling.”

Before I begin a layer of words, I like to set an intention. After gathering everything I think I will need, I sit in stillness meditating any affirmations that may come. I then begin to stream write on the substrate using a variety of pens, pencils, or markers. I try to not let the tool leave the page. I rotate the paper and continue in another direction.

Make sure the pens you are using are permanent so they won’t bleed when covered with a mat medium.

This is 140 lb. watercolor paper trimmed with a 1/2 inch border of painter’s tape. These are the pens I am using.

I use Sharpie, Stabilo, Milwaukie, Pitt, and other permanent ink pens. I like a calligraphy pen for its thin lines.

As I learn more about the power of thoughts and words, positive affirmations and meditation become a more important part of my creative process.

Adding Translucent Layers Over Text:

Next, I have added transparent horizontal layers of reds, oranges, and yellows as well as Mars black using my brayer. I like the effect.

I will continue to add more translucent layers but between each layer, I apply a layer of matt or gloss medium. This helps seal the underlying one keeping it intact for sanding or scratching any layers on top of it. I also use this process of veiling and removing to create interesting textures.

I use this process a lot in my series, “Navigating Uncertainty.”

These are just five ways in which I begin a painting using different layers. You might want to try them.

I recommend beginning with words of affirmation as it is one of my favorite and most calming approaches.

As they say, “Positive thoughts create positive actions.”

And creating an art practice with wellness, mindfulness, and positivity can be a powerful thing. You can create one as well.

So why not just begin…

Please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

P.S. I will be showing how all these turn out in an upcoming blog post. Talk to you soon!

Sincerely,

Michele