How do I get the top layer of paint to pull away from the lower layer on the edges?

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How do I get the top layer of paint to pull away from the lower layer on the edges?

by Sue
(Cypress, Texas, USA)

Reader Question: Hello, I am painting an abstract where the edges of the forms in the painting appear to be pull away revealing the edge of the lower color, at random. It's a bit like the effect you get when you paint a water-based paint over an oil paint. I can't do it this way as the oil will never dry over the water based paint and I also need to be able to control this effect in some way.

Has anyone ever done this and can you please advise me as to how it was done? I did create the abstract on my computer, copyrighted, so I have a picture of what I need to accomplish. Attached is a portion of the painting showing what I need to do. I have the base colors down in acrylic now I need to figure out the edges effect.

Thanks
Sue G.

Hi Sue,

I don't have experience with creating the exact effect you're trying to achieve, so I did some research on various acrylic gels and mediums that might help you create the effect you desire. Here's a suggestion:

You might want to try Liquitex Pouring Medium, which you mix with your acrylics and then pour onto your canvas. This may create an effect similar to the "edges pulling away", as you described and showed in your picture.

Here's a PDF from Liquitex that demonstrates what you can achieve with Liquitex Pouring Medium: http://www.liquitex.com/educational/poolscard.pdf

You can create a marbled effect with Liquitex Pouring Medium, which is sort of similar to what your picture looks like. By mixing different colors with the pouring medium and then pouring them separately, allowing layers to dry or semi-dry in between pouring, it seems you can have control over the effects.

Hope that helps & best of luck with it!

If anyone has any other suggestions for Sue, please chime in!

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