17 Layers? My Painting Process Might Surprise You
You might be wondering, “What exactly goes into creating an abstract or flower painting?” (it’s pretty much the same process). Do you start at the beginning, and keep painting until it’s finished? Well, not exactly.
Here is my process. Of course, this is MY process, and every artist has her own. But in case you’re interested:
I select a color palette, and start with a first layer of paint.
Background first?
Sometimes I paint the whole background first, and create a “central cluster” composition. In this case, called “17 Ways to Say I Love You” I used a bright red for a statement piece that really pops. It would look great in a modern home!
2. I work on the next layer, creating and defining shapes, with color, lines, or scribbles.
3. I keep refining the details, adding or removing elements.
4. Sometimes the background is completely taken over and you can’t see the original color.
5. Sometimes I reach a point where I’m happy, relatively early on. Mostly I reach a point of frustration where nothing is working. I leave the painting to “rest,” for a while. There are always canvases stacked against my walls, waiting to be rescued, or revived.
Paintings stacked up as I work on other ones.
6. I go back to the painting and keep working on it. Sometimes I completely obliterate it with white paint, and start over. Rinse and repeat – many times.
How many layers? It can vary from a few to a lot.
I feel like it’s finished when the elements work together harmoniously, and it also makes me feel excited to look at it.
By the time I’m finished, most of my paintings have at least 7 layers of marks and colors, but some as many as 17. Many are completely different from where they started, with a few original elements peeking through.
Check out the layers of depth in some of these paintings: Abstract Art and Flower Art
Questions? Do you have any questions about how I paint, or about art in general? Please post them below (or hit “reply”). I always love to hear from you!