Underpainting for an Abstract Painting

[@ImpulsiveArtistrybyCharlesWolf]

Fascinating approach, I like the idea of using a watery-mix for the underpainting, I'll have to give that a try at some point! Thanks for sharing. : )

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

I think you’ll have fun with it. Thanks for watching!

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

Thanks for watching "Underpainting for an Abstract Painting." Do you typically do an underpainting before beginning your abstract paintings?

[@TheMackhimself]

I didn't dabble with many abstract pieces, before I moved on, to explore different styles - but what I liked doing (canvasses already gessoed ofc), was to take some cheap white tubepaint, and "paint" some patterns etc. on the canvas, and just let it dry.. straight out of the tube thick lines, to create some texture. That worked really well with subsequent palette knife work, and created some interesting bits. Not really what you would call an underpainting I guess, but still =)

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

Mack M. Thanks for sharing that technique. Its a good way to get some texture on the canvas before painting.

[@kimsfusionart]

Yes all the time, just love the way u get more depth , its prob the single most important thing i learnt to bring my work up to the next level, i'm self taught, love the vids :) gold is nice too for what i do, there also something i like to call over painting :) ressurecting older work lol

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

Kim Johnson thanks for sharing. For me resurrecting old work is a complete waste of time - that energy should be put toward. Creating anew, not resurrecting the dead and gone. I only move forward, never back.

[@asmrrelaxingsoap9]

Grat job sir ❤️👍

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

Thank you for watching!

[@Shalinee2212]

David, I have a canvas that I've already painted on. Can I reuse it again? Would I need to gesso it first?

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

Yes, you can use it again. I prefer to gesso over it first to provide a nice white surface to paint on.

[@emergeandtransform]

@@davidm.kesslerfineart1717 Great. Thanks, David.

[@fatoomgierdien2181]

Thank YOU.

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

You’re welcome.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

My hearing is going or I have my mind in the gutter. I kept hearing "Titan Buff" as "Tightened butt"!

[@ryanhartnett7963]

I hear using too much water with acrylics will "unbind" the paints, therefore, eventually "pull away" from or not last? As in, even 50/50 (acrylic/water) is too much water? What's your experience with that? I love using lots of water on mine, but hesitate due to this.

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

Ryan, I only use Golden Heavy Body Acrylics. With Golden Acrylics you can use up to 90% water before the binder begins to break down. There are lots of rumors going around in the art community because people talk about things without doing any research, therefore passing along false information. The percentage of water to acrylics varies depending upon the manufacturer. You have to do your research for the brand of paint you use. It may only be that the manufacturer only recommends no more than 50%.

[@ryanhartnett7963]

@@davidm.kesslerfineart1717 Thank you for the info. I also use Golden Heavy Body Acrylics, exclusively, so this information is very helpful!

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

@@ryanhartnett7963 you’re welcome!

[@artbyjaime6086]

Thanks for the tips! What size and what kind of brush did you use in this video?

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

Its a 2.5 inch wide natural bristle brush. It makes absolutely NO difference what kind of brush you use!

[@curtriceennis2924]

Would like to have seen what you painted (or would suggest to put) on this "under-painting." Thanks for the tips, BTW! 😀

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

You’re welcome!

[@cdheidt]

I paint with Golden acrylics like you do, and I love the medium. My paintings often turn out looking like oil paintings because I explore a lot of the Golden glazes and extenders. But I often get a look of disappointment when people hear "acrylic" instead of "oil". Do you ever hear this? What difference does it make. I think a lot of people might think oil is more valuable, or is more indicative of skill level, but I'm not really sure.

[@johnswaim3919]

From whom do you get such looks and in what contexts? I'm generally a very honest person, but I'd suggest try lying to them; tell em what they hope to hear - that it's oil on canvas.

[@cdheidt]

@@johnswaim3919 I am an honest person too. I am not going to lie to sell them a painting! It's just a bias they have come to hold, that paintings are supposed to be in oil. I don't know why they think that way, because I prefer acrylic.

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

chris witness, oil paintings are always more valuable on the open market than acrylic paintings - its the way of the "art world." I rarely get a response about the medium. It would be good to understand too, that people outside of artists and the "art world" may not even know what acrylics are, even though they have been around since the 1940's. You may read-up on the history of it to educate potential buyers. Most people know about oil and watercolor. Oils are more valuable, then acrylics, then watercolor, then charcoal, etc. on down the line. It's just not something I worry about, or concern myself with. If they like the painting enough they'll buy it.

[@cdheidt]

@@davidm.kesslerfineart1717 Thanks. I will research it.

[@janebishop2912]

How do you attach canvas to wall please

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

See this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIKYfHSemKydf6M

[@isaiasxd4453]

🚀🌌

[@drinkmoreoj]

too much water to underlayer loses the strength of the paint thus weakening the paint adhesiveness.

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

Not true! I use Golden Acrylic paint, which can be diluted with up to 95% water without losing its properties. Do some research before you spout off myths.

[@crochetingaroundnewzealand]

that underpainting would probably sell for thousands lol

[@davidm.kesslerfineart1717]

LOL!