TECHNIQUE 19

Multiple Layering

When techniques are combined, layering each one over another, the possibilities multiply creating surprises in your artwork and process. Multiple layering can add sensuous physicality to the surface along with luminosity and depth. Almost every painting in this book uses multiple layering to some extent. This demonstration uses several techniques from the book, yet is only one of an infinite array of possible combinations.

Pick several acrylic painting techniques of your choice from this book, other acrylic technique books, or your own invention. These can be layered in any order you choose. A layer, simply defined, is when one wet application of paint or products is applied over a dry one. For this demonstration three techniques from this book are selected: 22, 26 and 33.

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Materials List

Paint

One or more acrylic paint colors

Substrate

Any primed painting surface

Tools

Painting knife or other application tool, paintbrush

Products

An acrylic medium, paste or gel

Other

Additional materials as required for other techniques selected for layering

For Cleanup

Water, water container, paper towels or rags

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STEP 1 Add Wash Pours, Technique 33

Follow wash pouring Steps 1 and 2 from Technique 33. Here Light Molding Paste is applied over the entire surface, and when dry Iridescent washes of Bronze, Gold Deep (Fine), Copper and Bright Gold are applied. Let it dry.

STEP 2 Add Overglow Sheens, Technique 22

The Overglow Sheens technique is used to apply glazes over the upper and lower thirds of the painting. A glaze mixture of Interference Green, Cobalt Teal and Carbon Black is used for the upper part, while the bottom uses Interference Red, Quinacridone Burnt Orange and Carbon Black. Let it dry.

STEP 3 Add a Dirty-Mix Pour, Technique 26

A Dirty Mix pour is applied over the bottom third, adding focal interest and new forms. Paint colors of Carbon Black, Iridescent Deep Gold (Fine), Green Gold, and airbrush ink colors Titanium White and Quinacridone Magenta are used in the pour.

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Tips

• Each application layer or technique does not need to cover an entire surface, but can instead be applied to selected areas.
• Let each layer fully dry before overlaying the next, unless the technique specifically calls for a wet layer application.
• Almost any technique can be applied under or over another, because acrylic loves to stick to itself. As you overlay try to allow some of the layers underneath to show through. A final surface can appear crusty and overly dense when techniques are applied too heavily or too opaquely hiding underneath layers.

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Multiple techniques are used to create surprising layers, including crackle mediums, transfers, textural gels and acrylic paint.

FRACTAL FUN

Sandra Duran Wilson

Acrylic and mixed media on panel with poured resin

10" × 8" (25cm × 20cm)

Multiple layers create a tactile and visually exciting surface on this painting, including Molding Paste to smooth canvas texture, Crackle Paste for textural interest, washes for watercolor effects, skins for palm trees, squeeze bottle drawing with fluid paints, and a matte medium finish.

UNDER THE CANOPY

Bonnie Cutts

Acrylic on canvas

26" × 36" (66cm × 91cm)

Photo credit: Ed Bock

Collection: Jim & Rhonda Boyette