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Author: Carly_Clements, Contributing Editor
 | I chose to begin with my focal area and work out from there. First I moisten the area where I want to add color, then I drop in a color for blending. By filling my brush with color and using the tip to touch the wet yupo, I don't overwork the layer beneath and the paint flows into the damp area. Allow this color to blend and "set". It will still be damp but will have lost its sheen. At this point you can add more color by dropping it into the same area. Again allow the paint to do the work. Don't play in the area with your brush! Remember you want an abstract effect! Allow the paint some drying time before you move on to the next color (I use a hair dryer on low held about 10 inches from the surface so I don't blow the paint off the paper). Step back often and view your painting from a distance. |
| You may decide that the outcome you've achieved so far is a painting...if so, jump to Critique Yourself! But if you want to define the subject more, begin with the background shapes and add color around your subject. Keep the paint rather heavy...not so much water. You will find that yupo doesn't absorb the paint like other paper! Instead the color will sit on top of the paper and the water will dry out. Each time you add new color, each layer of paint is effected. This also makes it nice if you want to wipe out an area! |
 | After working in the background, I've decided that more texture would be nice in some of the area. I moisten the paper and add color then drop salt (rock) into the damp paint. It's important to allow this to dry! then remove the salt and check for the desired texture. Small areas of texture can be very effective in an abstract painting. Here you see the hair dryer used with a low setting. Rock salt is heavier and won't blow away if you dry it slowly. |
| After I've painted for a while over the entire surface, working from the background shapes, I begin to critique my painting! Here are some of the questions I ask. 1. Are any areas too strong? too bright? too dull? or too weak? 2. Do all areas lead me into the focal area? 3. Does the eye have paths to follow? 4. Do I have interesting variety in color? in shapes? in sizes? 5. Did I find the "AH HA"? When I critique, I mat the image in white to define the edges. This helps to keep the eye focused on the painting. Now I can add any final details...the dots and dashes...not new paragraphs...to the painting. |
| After the critique, I decided to change the sky color. I dampened and dropped in new color and covered with crumpled plastic wrap to achieve the same textures again as the overall painting. |  |
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