This particular painting is a multi layered canvas with layers of mixed medium being applied before i began painting.

In the above image you can see the modelling paste that had been smeared on with a broad palette knife. This has dried a white colour and almost sits into the canvas. The yellowish gel is a heavy body structure gel and was placed where I wanted to place the lilacs in the shape of a cluster of lilac flowers. This took about 3 days to dry properly before I could begin the paint layer.

When paint is applied to the structure gel and modelling paste after it has properly cured it behaves in a completely different way to paint that has been applied directly onto canvas. It creates a depth and texture that add another dimension to the canvas.

Before painting the flowers I paint in the vase and the dark areas and map out the leaves. Once this has partially dried I begin building the layers for the stems of lilac flowers with a palette knife.

Acrylic on canvas – 35 cm X 42 cm