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Richard Budig · 01-25-2004, 11:06 AM

Painting on top of paint is, basically, a no-no, or so I've read from sources as diverse as current art magazines, Harold Speed, Solomon J. Solomon, and others.

The story is that painting over paint makes the new, top layer dull, sullen, etc.

I would like to hear some comments about this. I can think of occasions where I've painted over a previously painted passage with good results, and sometimes, with not so good results.

I suppose this also brings up the question of painting on toned canvas. Many artists, including the "biggies" in the field, tone canvasses. Art history is full of stories of artists who tone quite darkly, and yet their pictures (not ours) are in art history books as examples of how to do it.

I have also read about artists (wasn't Gainsboro one of them) who, as common practice, painted his picture (portrait), but stopped at the flesh, painted a bright, white spot on the canvas, and then painted the face/hands, etc. into this white "underpainting," making the flesh "glow."

Anybody have any thoughts?

01-25-2004, 11:06 AM	#1
Richard Budig Juried Member Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 260	Painting on top of paint . . . Painting on top of paint is, basically, a no-no, or so I've read from sources as diverse as current art magazines, Harold Speed, Solomon J. Solomon, and others. The story is that painting over paint makes the new, top layer dull, sullen, etc. I would like to hear some comments about this. I can think of occasions where I've painted over a previously painted passage with good results, and sometimes, with not so good results. I suppose this also brings up the question of painting on toned canvas. Many artists, including the "biggies" in the field, tone canvasses. Art history is full of stories of artists who tone quite darkly, and yet their pictures (not ours) are in art history books as examples of how to do it. I have also read about artists (wasn't Gainsboro one of them) who, as common practice, painted his picture (portrait), but stopped at the flesh, painted a bright, white spot on the canvas, and then painted the face/hands, etc. into this white "underpainting," making the flesh "glow." Anybody have any thoughts?