More about how I layer my paintings..
You can travel all over the internet and see artists refer to layers in a multitude of ways.
The base layers of my original painting, “Parakeet”.
Layers to build texture, layers to build color, layers that are transparent, layers that are opaque, layers that hold collage, layers to cover, layers to enhance… see what I mean? There are so many ways to use paint! I think the most important thing to understand about paint layers is that there is no wrong way to paint layers..each way can be beneficial to a composition. (The second most important thing about layers, in my opinion, is never to count the layers; but that is a different story.)
A few more sessions into the painting.. building paint layers to hold shape.
This painting went through 19 process stages..over about a week and a half long period with me in my studio. I photograph each stage because I carry the painting with me on my phone so that whenever it comes to mind, I can stare at the progress and see what I want to do next.
“Parakeet”, original abstract painting by Julie Prichard, San Diego.
Can you spot the under layers in my finished painting above? 😉 Every layer plays an important part in my visual layering process. I am not one to simply cover all layers under the final composition.
All students in any of my online workshops have access to watch me speak about 3 abstract paintings, while in process, inside our Facebook Group for class. If you are not one of my workshop students, you can click here to purchase the lectures a la cart, which will also include the process photos for you to print out and take notes while I talk about them. It’s a cool video I think, I use my Apple Pencil to mark up what I am speaking about on each slide so I think it helps demonstrate what I am doing with my layers.
The best workshop I offer to see this process in action where you can follow along with your paint at home is my “Expanding on Color” online workshop. How you mix color plays a VERY important roll in my layering process. Will I see you in class?