"Gratitude" (draft 2)

(draft 2)

This second draft has three more layers. Two of them are watercolor glazes and one is lettering with a pointed pen and FW Ink.

Before adding the glazes, I laid in some more erratic lines and a few words with masking fluid. You can now see how these additional layers push the first layers way back into the background to create depth.

Even though this is a contemporary watercolor piece, there are still identifiable shapes and a lot of expressive writing and erratic line work. The next step will be the introduction of a focal point by painting in the identifiable shape of a feather followed by the quote.

This type of work requires transparency and the inclusion of many different lines and edges plus the writing. These three elements give the illusion of glass and depth. And even if you're not a lettering artist, creative stamping into wet washes followed by a more identifiable stamping in the following layers will achieve a great deal of imagery.

If using a commercial stamp, try sloshing on some FW Ink and stamping that image several times. You will see only portions of the stamp which will give it a more ethereal and mysterious look. For fine art, it is best not to use a commercial stamp and stamp the entire image. It will look contrived. And if you use Speedball Printing Ink in the final stamping, you can blot portions of the image completely away with a damp paper towel.

There are really so many options with layering. Even though there are numerous techniques, it is best to use a limited palette of techniques and then leave the others for some other piece. It is incredibly easy to get into the "weeds".   And there you have it...just a few more things to think about.