Layer paint colors to create dimensions in your paintings or other art projects.
If you want to create dimension with paints, you can do so regardless of what kind of paint you are using. Different types of paints will need different supplies and a specific technique to layer different colors, without accidentally mixing them together and creating an undesirable color. You can even layer different types of paint over each other, depending on the look you are going for and the project you are working on.
Instructions
1. Squeeze a dime-sized or smaller amount of watercolor paint on a palette. Dip a soft brush in a cup of clean water and gently press the side of the brush against the cup to release some of the excess water. Gently touch one of the colors on your palette and an mix the water and paint on the palette. Lightly apply the watercolor paint to the canvas. Allow the first layer to dry completely. Repeat the process with the following layers. Watering down the paint and applying it lightly with a soft brush will prevent the colors from mixing on the canvas.
2. Dispense a dime-sized amount of acrylic paints onto a clean palette. Dip a broad, soft brush into a container of water and squeeze a very small amount of excess water from the brush. You need plenty of water to create a more transparent look for the acrylic paint. Grab a tiny amount of paint from the palette and make a puddle with the paint and water. Add a little more paint to get the level of opacity that you need. Apply the layer to the dried layers of acrylic paint, or on an area of wall paint if you are making a design on an interior wall.
3. Squeeze small amounts of the darkest oil paint color you need in different areas of your palette. Pour some turpentine into a container. Dip a brush into the solvent and mix it with the darkest color you are working with, and make a transparent puddle on the palette. Apply it to the canvas and allow it to dry for at least three days, since oil paints dry very slowly. Mix the next layers of oil paints with linseed oil to thin them and go from the darkest to lightest color. This method is known as "fat over lean," which means the first layer is thinned with solvent and the following layers are mixed with linseed oil to make the paint flexible.
