Painting light to dark

[Janel Maples]

To everyone who contributed,

Thank you for your input and a special thank you to Steven for playing Mother Nature to get the ball rolling for me.

If I had to choose a cartoon character that best describes myself I would pick Curious George.....ette? I am a very curious person, and I want to know why it (painting dark to light) is the procedure of choice for many oil painters.

I am eager to have what consistently works for me make an appearance. I know my own style and procedure is in me somewhere; I just haven't found it, yet. So right now, I am all over the map (or should I say canvas?)

My question was one about sequencing rather than layering of paint. I apologize for not making that clear and for not making it clear that oil painting was the medium I was directing the question toward.

A little light bulb did go on. Bouncing back and forth, painting in both directions, may be the procedure I've been looking for to successfully fine tune things. Sometimes I forget that these things aren't carved in stone.

Time will tell what is right for me. If not, I am sure the pro's will in the critique section.

Thanks again for the information.