Mastering Art with Layers
Creating depth and visual interest in a painting often comes down to effective layered artwork. The art with layers technique, as the name suggests, involves building up a painting by applying multiple layers of paint.
This allows artists to achieve textures, transparencies and dimensions that a single layer of paint simply cannot provide.
In this blog post, I will be focusing on how the art with layers approach can be utilised in oil and acrylic painting to develop stunning works of art.
As an abstract artist who exclusively works with either oils or acrylics, the art with layers process is an essential part of my practice. Creating abstract paintings in layers is a beautiful creative process.
Applying varied layers of colour enables me to produce complex pieces that capture light in interesting ways. Thinner layers let underlying colours shine through, while thicker applications of paint lend depth and structure.
The combination of transparency and opacity is what brings my paintings to life. Without using the art with layers technique, I would be unable to achieve the depth and visual interest that my collectors have come to love.
While the art with layers approach can be used across painting mediums and even other art forms, I will be concentrating specifically on oil and acrylic painting here.
In the sections that follow, I’ll provide tips on utilising layers effectively based on the unique qualities of oils and acrylics. Things like dry times and blending will be covered in depth. By the end, any artist should feel confident implementing layers in their oil and acrylic work!
The Power of Layers in Art
Background, Middle Ground, Foreground
The art with layers technique allows me to build up depth and interest in my abstract paintings. I like to start by creating a textured background layer and then build up additional layers of shapes and forms in the middle ground and foreground.
This is a compositional approach I first learned many years ago when created landscape paintings, but it translates beautifully into non-representational art as well.
Applying paint in successive layers creates a feeling of space and dimension, much like how we perceive depth in the real world.
The art with layers process also has interesting parallels with creating layered compositions in digital programmes like Photoshop.
Art in Layers vs. Photoshop Layers Principles
The art with layers painting technique shares some interesting similarities with the layering principles used in Photoshop and other digital illustration programmes.
Just as a Photoshop artist creates a composition by stacking layers on top of each other, a painter also builds up a piece by applying successive layers of paint.
In both cases, the bottom layers provide foundational colours, values, textures and details. These base layers might end up peeking through in places, adding visual depth and complexity.
At the same time, the layers on top define major contours and focal points in the artwork. It’s the interplay and blending between layers that generate much of the interest.
Just as a Photoshop artist can delete or alter a single layer without disturbing the rest, a painter can utilise glazes, scumbling or sanding to modify one specific paint layer.
Layering gives an artist flexibility to rework sections without needing to obliterate all previous work. It enables the freedom to build up depth and continue refining smaller areas for maximum impact.
Finally, both digital and paint layers allow for a combination of transparent and opaque passages for different effects. Overlapping see-through layers intensify colours and glow by letting underlayers show through.
Solid layers define crisp edges while also enabling blending between layers. Mastering the transparent-to-opaque range is critical for capturing illumination and centre-of-interest focus, regardless if done digitally or in paint.
Layering Techniques in Oils and Acrylics
Oil Paints
Oil paints are beloved for their exceptionally slow drying time. This allows artists great flexibility in blending and reworking areas of a painting.
When painting in layers technique in oils, an artist can build up the surface either wet-into-wet or by allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
The gradual drying of oil paint enables tons of time for smoothing out edges, subtly blending layers together or glazing thin veils of colour over preexisting passages.
The layered artwork possible with oils has incredible depth and luminosity. Painting in layers with oil is a joyful and creative process. I thoroughly enjoy it.
Working wet-into-wet and layer-by-layer are two primary techniques for building up depth with the art with layers approach in oil painting:
Wet-into-Wet:
This technique involves painting onto previous passages that are still wet, allowing the layers to blend softly into each other.
Colours mix visually on the canvas to generate dimensional textures and nuanced hues. Timing is critical as the ideal window for blending is once the bottom layer has begun drying but the surface is still tacky.
Moving too quickly risks muddy colours, while slower exploration produces fusion magic.
Bob Ross – The Joy of Painting
The late painter Bob Ross demonstrated the incredible versatility of the wet-into-wet oil painting technique for creating layered artwork. In his popular TV show The Joy of Painting, Ross would complete an entire stunning landscape in just 30 minutes!
Working rapidly wet-in-wet, he deftly blended mountains, trees and skies into a unified composition.
Ross made the art with layers approach look easy and accessible. His signature style of palette knife work and loose, emotive brushstrokes captured texture beautifully.
He allowed the oil paints themselves to mingle and mix, embracing happy accidents along the way.
To this day, I still enjoy watching old episodes of his programme to admire Ross’ masterful wet-into-wet layering.
His technique serves as inspiration to loosen up and enjoy the organic process of painting.
Fat Over Lean
This brings us to another important subject in oil painting – ‘Fat Over Lean’. I will not cover this subject in depth but I will briefly explain it.
The ‘fat over lean‘ rule is an important concept in oil painting layers. It refers to the amount of oil contained in the paint layers:
‘Fat’ paint has more oil binder mixed into the pigment. It tends to be thick, buttery and slow-drying.
‘Lean’ paint has less oil content, creating a thinner consistency that dries more quickly.
The ‘fat over lean’ principle states that each successive layer of oil paint should contain more oil/be fatter than the layer below it.
This means starting with lean layers in the underpainting and background, then gradually increasing oil content as you build up foreground layers.
Why is fat over lean important for layered artwork?
Oil paints dry through a process called oxidation, where the oils slowly cross-link and harden over time. If a thick, fatty layer is placed over leaner paint, the bottom layers can’t properly oxidise and fully solidify. This can cause cracking and stability issues over time.
By always keeping lean layers underneath fatter passages, all the paint layers have a chance to thoroughly dry and cross-link, ensuring structural integrity in a painting for centuries to come!
Mastering this method takes discipline, but the results are stable, luminous artwork that stands the test of time.
Layer-by-Layer:
Here the artist allows each layer of oil paint to fully dry before applying the next. This requires patience but enables crisp, defined edges between passages.
Unlike wet blending, the interactions happen optically rather than physically mixing pigments. The transparency of oil glazes creates tantalising glows, while opaque layers lend solidity.
Alternating between transparency and opaque coverage is key for producing depth and points of focus.
Mastering both these layered artwork techniques provides tremendous flexibility. Artists can base early layers wet-into-wet to rapidly build colourful texture.
Later layers may then go on separately for refinement and precision. This strategically moves from loose impressionism into sharper realism in building up a beautifully dimensional oil painting.
Acrylic Paints
Acrylic paint contains pigment suspended in acrylic polymer resin, making it water-soluble and quick-drying compared to oils.
An acrylic painting needs to be approached differently, typically working layer by layer from background to foreground.
Still, acrylics deliver stellar versatility for painting in layers.
Acrylic’s relatively fast drying time allows an artist to apply multiple layers in one working session. Since it can be diluted with water yet also provide thick, impasto textures, acrylics can create dimension through both transparent and opaque layers.
Acrylic underpaintings also make excellent grounds for layering oils over the top. Painting in layers with acrylic is a great experience and I always remember my first steps learning abstract painting with layers in acrylics.
Transparency and Overlapping
Layering transparent and opaque passages of colour can create gorgeous, mysterious effects in a painting. Glazing thin veils of paint over top of existing layers results in subtler, more nuanced hues and values.
This layered artwork approach adds luminosity, depth and visual interest.
Overlapping forms layered at different depths encourage the viewer’s eye to move around and through the composition.
This makes for a very engaging experience of the painted surface. Allowing parts of underlying layers to peek through also adds a tantalising sense of discovery to a piece.
Building Depth and Texture
Creating Depth
Painting with layers approach is all about constructing the illusion of depth on a 2D surface. Typically, painters start by establishing background layers, building up the middle ground with subsequent layers and finally defining the foreground details.
Strategically overlapping shapes, glazing thin veils of colour and allowing bottom layers to peek through in areas create the sense of space receding back.
The most compelling layered artwork keeps the viewer’s eye moving through all planes, not just the foremost elements.
Texture and Surface
In addition to establishing depth, transparent and opaque layers also enable artists to create stunning realism in textures.
Glazing layers filter underlying colours and details, much like how a fade of fog gently obscures. This creates luminosity and visual intrigue.
(Glazing is transparent layers of colour applied over dry paint. It modifies existing colours and creates luminosity).
Conversely, opaque paint can be scumbled over preexisting layers, softly blurring hard edges the way a thin cloud temporarily mutes the sun’s sharp rays.
(Scumbling is applying a thin, opaque layer of lighter colour over a darker one. It adds texture and softness).
Scumbling is an excellent way to suggest depth and achieve a smooth gradation between foreground and background.
Artists like Turner and Monet were masters of using glazes and scumbles to build incredible colour vibrancy and lifelike texture.
Their timeless landscapes demonstrate how layered artwork captures light and atmosphere. The same principles apply equally well to abstraction.
Conclusion: Mastering Art with Layers
The art with layers approach may seem complicated or tedious to a beginner artist, but mastering a layered process truly unlocks new depths of expression.
Both oil and acrylic mediums allow tons of opportunity to develop mesmerising textures and details through strategic transparency, opacity, blending and glazing.
This article just touches on some of the basics of how to paint in layers in acrylics and oils. The best way I know to develop your skill is to regularly practice and examine the result each time.
Here are some tips to get started with your own layered artwork:
- Don’t be afraid to incorporate underpainting, even in thick paint like oils. This initial foundation sets the tone with broadly brushed shapes and shaded contours.
- Alternate between wet-on-wet blending and waiting for layers to dry fully before adding to them. Both techniques produce unique effects.
- Learn to use glazing mediums and protective varnishes to create luminous translucent layers.
- Keep your favourite acrylic works protected, as they make great substrates for continuing to layer oil paints over the top.
- Consider sanding or selectively removing some areas of paint to expose striking underlayers peeking through.
The joys of painting lie in the process itself. Allowing a piece to grow and evolve through successive layered artwork encourages new ideas, happy accidents and mesmerising depth.
Artists of all skill levels have much to discover by adopting the art with layers approach!
I encourage you to visit the gallery on my website to view examples of my layered abstract artwork in oils and acrylics. In many of the pieces, you can observe the complex textures and translucent depth that I built up through successive applications of paint.
Seeing these finished paintings demonstrates just how much depth and interest can emerge through consciously working in planned layers.
I hope this introduction to the art with layers painting technique has intrigued you to try it out yourself!
As with mastering any new skill, expect some initial experimentation and even a few happy accidents as you learn what works best with your style and medium.
If you are an artist currently utilising layering in your pieces, I would LOVE to hear your tips and experiences in the comments below.
What unique approaches have you discovered?
How has adopting an art with layers process influenced your artistic growth?
Please share your wisdom to keep the conversation going!