Sneak Peak into my process: How I build early layers

Have you ever heard artists talk about layering and wonder how exactly they do it? If you said yes, be sure to watch this video because I am about to show you how I create the beginning layers of some of my own art. So let's get started with this sneak peek!
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[@RosabelVerde]

This was an extremely interesting and valuable lecture, thank you for the inspiration, dear Louise!

[@cidk59]

"That is ghastly.... Wonderful!" 🤣🤣🤣 Yes!!! I would have been horrified if you'd said that before I took your FYJ course. But now I get it, and I love covering over the things I thought were so "important" and "precious". And now I see that layering just adds to that process, creating a history and an intention underneath, that can peak through as I take that process of pushing things back to an even more interesting place. I've learned so much from watching your process, and have found the magic of letting go of everything being so precious and having to be "perfect" and "finished"! Now I know that everything adds to the final reveal, nothing is lost, it all adds to the complexity and texture, so why not?! Thank you Louise!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome - and thanks for sharing. This makes me so happy :)

[@susanpriestart]

I could watch you paint for ever😂❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Susan x

[@Grumpysusie]

Thanks very much for this extremely useful insight. I've been painting for several years in abstraction and learned more from this video than anyone who has ever taught me a thing or two. Wow....just love ya!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww so glad I could provide you this!

[@Grumpysusie]

I'm glad too!@@ThisPaintingLife

[@datadata7144]

Timestamped at 8.45. I was like, "No, don't, don't!" Lol! Their are so many masterpieces in just one piece on its journey to the "aha." I love your work.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you x

[@lucymcconville7780]

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." Wow. I'm so happy a friend turned me on to the Art Juice podcast a couple months ago, and now I've found you here...and can't wait for the Find Your Joy taster week! (She says, feeling kinda giddy!)

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad to have you Lucy! ☺

[@najmaarif9800]

This is my most loved way of painting. I want to achieve this soul freeing painting style. I joined your Art Tribe last month and there's so much there to learn!!!! It will take me life time to go through all the resources there!!!! I would definitely recommend any one wanting to belong to art community and grow, this one is it. So so happy to have joined you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful! And there is so much more to come!

[@Sybil_Detard]

It took me YEARS to try abstract art, it intimidated the heck out of me. It is pretty much all I do now. I try now to paint only for myself, though it can be tough keeping the audience (patrons//attendees/viewers) out of my head. Great video.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It can be a constant battle can't it - but well done for fighting it!

[@Wellbeingthrosound]

Came here to say you made me laugh out loud with your 'Well that is ghastly. Wonderful!' and see I've been pipped to the post! So inspiring, Louise :D I'm off to make something ghastly now, to shake off all the carefulness and have a blast. Thank you SO much!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it 😂 Happy Painting!

[@alkhemiegypt]

So interesting to see how you work. For those who say that you're just making a mess, or whatever words they use to criticise you, just ignore them. Everyone has different tastes in art. They probably like photo-realistic drawings of their pets...which is absolutely fine...for them. I can see clearly that you have a process, and you bring your experience and flair to work on that process. I wouldn't have made some of the decisions you did (on the paintings in the video), but isn't that what makes us all individual? And further along, I could see why you made those particular choices. I'm drawn to your process/style because I admire your boldness and your willingness to experiment. To me your finished pieces are alive and often dancing. No artist who ever lived produced work liked by EVERYONE. Isn't that the point? :)

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's absolutely the point! Art is all about what YOU as the creator want it to be. ♥♥♥

[@marypartridge5154]

You have got the gift for art and I dont think people can learn this. And some of the frustration today is people think they can be actors painters writers and yes they can. But I ultimately think it is a gift that some people have and some dont. And its not good to force it. Yes its good to nurture and develop the gift. What im saying is too many people just think they can be artists or actors or dancers. There is nothing worse than watching a lot of these artists on utube that have great technique but just dont have that extra something. So I really enjoy watching your eye for art.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Mary - I think the issue isn't that they don't have an eye - it's that they haven't yet started expressing authentically AND they haven't learned about colour, composition and tone. Just my opinion :)

[@dw7939]

This video made my day! I love watching your process.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm so glad!

[@zoecooper322]

Thank you so much! Fascinating to see how these layers go on and build to create an interesting base. So inspirational!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robyncanning7441]

Fabulous insight into your process, thank you so much Louise! This helps me make sense of layering and gives me a starting point. I have tried before but always feel I need to be intentional and strategic about where I place things. Thank you for reminding me to just play first!😊😊👏👏👏👏

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww so glad I could help. Thanks for watching. ♥

[@laurienye7514]

I enjoyed that very much.

[@DocRocket144]

This was very enjoyable, Louise. I am always grateful to see and learn the processes of artists whose work I admire. Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@kellybeale1895]

Thank you so much for sharing your talents - a lot to process and learn here ♥️ love how you teach us not to judge the layering

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it Kelly and you are so welcome!

[@kerynpaull8965]

Thank you so much for your generous sharing, I so appreciate it and am enjoying watching your processes!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@diannelacourciere4129]

What a joy watching you create. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on creating abstract art.❤

[@marylyndurie8157]

I signed up for this course but haven’t really attended because of medical issues! But I really love your work. I’m looking for my lane. I started with paint pouring but not loving it. It’s really generous of you to offer this course.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you Mary. ❤

[@mariaplugo9125]

Love it. You are loud and clear how to do abstract. Thank you 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much! ❤

[@kieranflynn7582]

Wonderful video Thank you Louise

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You’re welcome 😊

[@ivyfasko9699]

This helped so much! I always thought the beginning layers had to have some importance or meaning, but no! they are just to build an underlayment of decoration that may or may not be revealed at a later stage. Very freeing! Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful! That's it exactly :)

[@darceyclapp4777]

Just awesome and valuable tools

[@maureenknight3863]

fabulous demo

[@justmysassyopinion]

I love to watch you paint, Louise! So interesting.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@francoisemcdermott6725]

Invaluable advice, thank you so much for your generosity. You've made my practice the richer for it. Set yourself up for surprises, don't try and 'make beautiful'.. 🙏🏼

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad I could do that for you!

[@ninaruthie6340]

Thanks so much for this! I appreciate you and what you share with us. I learned a lot from watching this one. Would love to see the finished paintings.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Coming on my website in April x

[@marlashaw7399]

Loved that video!!!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@pineconemediadesign]

Really great you sharing so much if your process building layers. I want yo bole that free for longer! Thank you Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@howlingwind1937]

I'm interested in doing abstract, partly because I want to get out of my comfort zone and partly because it intrigues me. However, I do struggle as I come from a landscape/streetscape, what I'd like to know is does abstract have to have a focal point? Cheers from Tasmania!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

One of the most amazing things about abstract is that it can be whatever you want it to be. So while sometimes there may be a slight focal point, there does not always need to be one. Happy painting ♥

[@howlingwind1937]

@@ThisPaintingLife thank you for a reply, that may have been part of my problem I think I've been trying to fit in a focal point not necessarily needing one does take the pressure off, I think coming from a landscape etc background I felt confused.

[@kathleenogilvie617]

Your video really helped to demystify the underpinning concept that has stifled any movement. Now I know what I will do with a canvas I started years ago.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's great - start 3 ore so that one doesn't feel too pressured

[@annagray4208]

Fantastic. So inspiring again. Thanks heaps, Louise

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@dididobbs8501]

This was great fun and helpful to watch. Love this stage.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@annrubino6252]

Beyond helpful, Louise. Thanks so very much for sharing this live demo of your process.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@SimoneWhippArtist]

So interesting to watch your process Louise. I find it so difficult to try and not make my painting into 'something' when I am making abstract art before it is ready to reveal itself to me! 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You can do it! You just have to practice covering things up every time you catch yourself doing that x

[@SimoneWhippArtist]

@@ThisPaintingLife That's a good tip Louise! x

[@juliakuklis7395]

This is so exciting! I just had an Ah Ha moment. Just the effectiveness of simple bold marks!! Thank you Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Julia!

[@susanfield2444]

Loved this video. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@sarahgranville]

Fabulous demo Louise. I love your brave spontaneity Thanks for sharing xx

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@frankfolino3118]

Wonderful!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lisengel2498]

I like your Free style process mixing different kinds of marking - its like walking into the wilderness and finding all the interesting surprizes 😄🪲🦎💚

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww so glad you enjoyed it! ♥

[@rosammathomas4596]

Thank you♥️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You’re welcome 😊

[@najmaarif9800]

This is my most loved way of painting. I want to achieve this soul freeing painting style.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You can do it!

[@phillipmccaskill6042]

This video is fantastically helpful to a fairly new painter. Thank you so much!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful and so happy to have you here!

[@juliebabb3365]

Great video, always need a refresher & a bit more sinks in each time. Enjoying the series, looking forward to seeing where it goes. thanks Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@deedoyle397]

This is my most recent favorite video from you, Louise! Lots of grist for the mill. [Am ploughing through a bout of Covid so am not painting or articulating well here, but still trying to keep connected to the Tribe et al.]

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it Dee!

[@antheaparker5486]

fab video, thank you. Loving art tribe, and having a go at my first acrylic painting. Id love to do your course x

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Go for it!

[@kmccurrach]

I love this. It’s so helpful to see how you start paintings since I always like the end result but it’s such a mystery how you got there. I will keep working on making a variety of marks (I tend to get bitty) and keep plugging away. One question though - how do you keep that first layer of collage from bubbling up? I’ve often tried to do layers of collage to start but when I go back into add more layers it starts to peel and bubble and is incredibly frustrating!

[@michellepodolak2780]

Just what I needed today. I have a previously used piece of stay-wet palette paper that I want to use to start a new painting but I was thinking that I didn't have anywhere to go with it. Oil pastels, stencils, and maybe some collage on top! Yay!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful! The thing is, we won't know where we're going until we get started :)

[@safiabutton]

Loved this, and loved your commentary - that you're keeping out of your way to try and make it look good, and the ghastly was 'wonderful', etc. I'm at a spot where I have things I want to explore and no idea how... and I think I just need to do this. Let it happen, get out of its way, and just... see what comes of it several layers later. Thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, that is the secret!

[@sallysims5090]

Thanks, Louise. Another helpful hands--on video. -A fellow Art Triber.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sallysims5090]

I'm exploring a way into layering through different paint consistencies and mediums rather than collage. But I find it really helpful to see your painting and thinking process. Have a good Sunday. :)

[@knlflan]

One of your best videos yet, in my opinion of course! I learned so much about layering and using a trowel! Exciting!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robynrandolphart]

QUESTION - Louise I love, love, love your art and what an awesome teacher you are. Wondering what you are painting on in this video. Are you using canvas or wood boards for these or is it pape glued down to somethingr? Love your videos and loved your free course this week. Thank you so much!

[@WGail]

Love these! Enjoyed watching the building of layers and then taking away. What type of sandpaper did you use? 😊

[@jobadger5478]

Learning a lot, Louise. Thank you☀ Which sander and sandpaper type do you use please? Thank you🌈

[@judyhammond3181]

Hi Louise. I had a problem with the volume of your video. The music is too loud. However, when the volume is turned down, l cannot hear your voice. Had to be constantly fiddling with the volume. I did enjoy your layering.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Hi Judy, thanks for letting us know and w e will be sure to look into that. Happy Painting!

[@cherfauvel]

I can hear nothing

[@dianecaust2425]

Turn the captions on!

[@MaryRamirez-gd1up]

Love your process. I find it really hard to do. Lol

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I am so glad you liked it Mary. With anything, practice makes perfect ☺

[@annadean8210]

Great video of your process - thank you. At what point do you start thinking about composition? Or do you?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

When the painting starts to reveal itself - not at this early stage. It would close off too many possibilities x

[@she63ful]

I did your FYJ taster last year but never stop learning from you. Fantastic! Can I ask what and where you get the boards you are using please?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

From Jacksons usually x

[@ShonaPatersonArtiemiss]

I love watching your videos! so inspiring after finishing FYJ taster course :) .. I have a question.. do you stick your paper onto solid wood to sand etc? if so what kind of wood and how thick is it? I tried working on MDF which had layers of gesso.. I loved it so much.. was heavy though! thank you...

[@slapshot6163]

Love your work. Curious about what substrate you used?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

wood panel

[@IwtptFG2D]

Thanks Louise for the generous free guide and the great video. Enjoyed watching you develop the layers...particularly liked the yellow one. I have a quick question....you mention about having to carefully seal in oil pastel. Funnily enough I've been experimenting with different finishes lately as I use oil pastel lines in my work. I've tried fixative, then an isolation coat and finally an acrylic based varnish as my best option out of my trials but it still seems possible to scratch the oil pastel. Will this harden over time do you think or how do you finish work that has oil pastel in or do you have a video that covers this at all ? Thanks again 🙂

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I do several isolation coats until I can no longer scratch the oil pastel - sometimes it takes 3 coats

[@IwtptFG2D]

@@ThisPaintingLife Ah ok, I’ll keep going with the isolation layers then before applying the varnish. Thanks Louise👍

[@user-fw7kg9gm7s]

Great thankyou. Will you put a fixative over the pastel ?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes I will

[@gregoraninalium]

At 10:16 I am already seeing an interesting figure of human on left down corner, with hurricane happening around... Thank you for the video! And would you please share what yellow is it you are laying down over the black ?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It's cad yellow with some white mixed in I think x

[@rozzieschannel9081]

What do you seal the oil pastels with? I love doing abstracts in acrylics, and have been wanting to add oil pastels. Thanks for sharing your work and process.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Layers of acrylic medium

[@rozzieschannel9081]

@@ThisPaintingLife thank you!

[@cinnamongypsea]

Are you painting in wood ?? What are the canvases ? Love your work 🙏🏻🎉

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I don't like canvas - I work on wood

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

Thanks for sharing your process. On several occasions you mention the audience and keeping them in mind. I never think about what other people will like -- that interfere for me. It's about self expression. Some will resonate, others won't. How do you think about this?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I didn't say I was thinking about if they would like it - I'm talkng about the decisions we make as artists. We make art to express something yes, but I also want to communicate. So I think of it like a writer editing his or her words to clarify the meaning. I won't change my meaning to suit an audience - but I do want to make things as true to my expression as possible. Make sense?

[@dianefallon8471]

Hi Louise How do you know where to sand, do you pick spots because you know what's under there or do you just sand all over?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Hi Diane, For me, I look at where I feel like it needs it. It's more of a feeling I get.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

I have no access to a sander. Could I use a coarse sandpaper instead?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes :)

[@gailflynn443]

Are you drying layers in between ?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes - I edit a lot of time together into these videos or else it would get really boring! But yes the layers have t dry or else everything gets muddy

[@lizfontenot1424]

Do u let it dry completely between each layer.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes I do! Sometimes I even use a blowdryer to help.

[@nancybrunskill7446]

Do you ever clean your brushes?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

yes of course but it would be boring to watch :)

[@patriciamckeen432]

I am not getting any voice over sound only the music? Anyone else?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

In some parts there is just music x

[@patriciamckeen432]

@@ThisPaintingLife I can hear the music but in the parts where there should be talking it's silent. I can read what you're saying with the closed captions on. Just thought I'd comment in case others were having the same issues.

[@monaagia384]

so sorry we can not hear it all the time, you must be away from the mike and what you are doing is so interesting i hope we can see it again

[@heidismith6148]

?????

[@ThisPaintingLife]

?????

[@londoncalling7895]

@@ThisPaintingLife lol

[@monaagia384]

we can not hear you, your mike is muted

[@jessihill7817]

Wonderful!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!