Quote:
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Originally Posted by Marvin Mattelson
I assume this is a compliment? If so, thanks!
If painting into wet soup doesn't suit you try layers.
The thing to keep in mind that one can paint in layers and each layer can be painted wet into wet. I start each new layer with scumbling and paint into the scumble with wet paint. I am repainting the head but I allow what's under to come through and then I refine it, in much the same way a sculptor keeps refining smoothness with finer cuts.
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Thank you Marvin for replying. Yes, that was meant to be a compliment. You think art on a higher plane so I need to read your words very carefully to grasp the full meaning.
I tried layers but I tried it in the manner of underpainting. I thought there were two ways to paint, underpainting or alla prima. Underpainting didn't seem spontaneous enough for me at the time and the looseness of alla prima appealed to me. So, I tried wet into wet. Now I'm learning there seems to be a combination of the two!
When you say you paint into the scumble with wet paint, I'm assuming the scumble is over paint that has dried. In essence, you are creating a wet environment by putting on the scumble first? I think I get it.
I guess painting with 'layers' is different from the underpainting method because with underpainting the original underpainting done in raw umber and white (or whatever combination people use) shows through the glazes. But, with 'layers', the original painting, or first layer is completely obscured by additional layers? Have I got this right?
Thanks again, I would be learning portrait painting in a vacuum without the generous posts on this forum!
Joan