#Greyed

The second layer of a 48x60” six-part composition painting 🌷 I began by adding a raw umber wash to the top section to bring out the brush marks and create more depth and history. I knew I wanted to introduce a light blue, so I painted over most of the red but intentionally left small pops showing through. Those little bits of color underneath add so much energy and keep the surface from feeling flat. From there, I focused on loose mark making and stopped before overthinking it. Early layers are about building momentum, not perfection. There will be plenty of time to edit later. It’s always exciting when a painting starts to shift like this. Do you let yourself paint freely in the early layers, or do you plan everything out first? 🏷️ Abstract Painting Process, Layered Painting, Large Scale Abstract Art, Painting In Layers, Color And Depth, Mark Making, Studio Practice, Contemporary Abstract Art #artwithadele

The third layer of a 60x48” stripe painting 🌷 After two completely intuitive layers, this is the stage where I pause and start paying closer attention. I look for what’s working, and almost every time, it’s the moments where the history underneath begins to show through. Layering is where the magic happens. Those unexpected breaks, edges, and color pops simply can’t exist without building up what’s underneath first. I’m especially drawn to the balance of soft neutrals with flashes of brighter color peeking through. I also used a Bondo spreader to create spontaneous edges and breaks in the colors that I wouldn’t be able to achieve with a paintbrush. 🏷️ Abstract Stripe Painting, Layered Abstract Art, Abstract Painting Process, Contemporary Abstract Art, Acrylic Painting Techniques, Mark Making Tools, Intuitive Painting Process, Large Scale Abstract Art, Artist Studio Practice #artwithadele

I’m starting right from the beginning on this one 🎨 Laying down the undercolour, breaking up the canvas, and letting things stay a little imperfect. The base layer was still slightly wet, so it smudged — and honestly, that just adds more depth and interest. This is where the painting starts to breathe. If you want to watch the full-video, it’s available on all of my memberships & subscriptions. 👉 Link in my bio. #abstractart #abstractpainting #artistprocess #paintingprocess #underpainting acrylicpainting mixedmediaart contemporaryabstract intuitivepainting artreels studioart artistlife artmemberships behindthecanvas modernabstract

My simple step-by-step way to build an abstract painting 🌷 This is my process for creating several smaller, related panels. For this, I’m using six panels and painting on all of them at the same time. I first start with large solid shapes using a big brush, then move into more open shapes with a smaller brush. From there, I draw continuous lines across the panels, then add mark-making and patterns with different tools - everything from a stick to q-tips taped together. I finish by drawing with a tiny brush to bring everything together. I find that this layered approach helps build cohesion, movement, and visual interest across the surface. This process works whether you’re painting big or breaking the work into multiple pieces. 🏷️ Abstract Painting Process, Step By Step Art, Mixed Media Techniques, Mark Making Art, Studio Painting Practice, Contemporary Abstract Art, Art Process Video #artwithadele

The third layer of a 48x60” six-part composition painting 🌷 Editing is always where a painting really starts to grow. Before adding anything new, I focused on subtracting, removing what wasn’t working, and protecting the areas I loved. I had spent time studying some of my older paintings and gathering inspiration, but my main goal for this layer was simple: add more texture and depth. The light blue had to go, so I painted it out and rebuilt the surface using prompts and composition guides to help with mark placement. On large-scale abstract paintings like this, layering is everything. More layers mean more history, more texture, and more interesting moments peeking through. And I know there are still several layers to come. How many layers do you usually build into your larger paintings? I typically like doing 5 or 6, sometimes even 7! 🏷️ Abstract Painting Process, Large Scale Abstract Art, Layered Painting, Editing A Painting, Mixed Media Art, Contemporary Abstract Artist, Studio Practice, Art Process Video #artwithadele

This is the bit no one really sees. Going back over every shape with a second layer to make sure the colour is solid and the edges are clean. It takes time, but it’s what makes the difference in the end. #abstractart #paintingprocess #artistprocess #fineartpainting #abstractpainting

Most of my large paintings actually begin with small color studies like this. I have a lot of respect for big canvases — they ask for commitment. Starting with a study helps me choose the right colors, collect ideas, and slowly step into the mood before moving onto a larger scale. It’s where the painting quietly introduces itself before it grows into something bigger. Do you enjoy seeing these behind-the-scenes studies or mainly the final pieces? #abstractart #paintingprocess #colorstudy #abstractpainting #artistprocess

The start of a 48x60” six-part composition painting 🌷 When I don’t have a clear plan, I give myself just enough structure to begin. For this piece, that meant mapping out a simple grid of six sections and choosing a limited palette of browns, soft neutrals, and a pop of red. I worked from the bottom up, letting gravity do its thing. The drips settle into the lower sections, creating layers and movement I could never plan, and I just love how they look. Even though I start with a grid, the painting rarely ends that way. The real magic is watching how much can change from the first layer to the last. 🏷️ Abstract Painting Process, Large Scale Abstract Art, Contemporary Abstract Artist, Studio Art Practice, Intuitive Painting, Mixed Media Painting, Art Process Video, Abstract Composition, Artist At Work, Painting In The Studio #artwithadele

Modern textured abstract is all about bold expression. Acrylics thrive under the palette knife. Thick paint builds sculptural depth. Texture becomes the main language. No brushes—only raw movement. Scrape, spread, and layer with confidence. Let ridges and cracks stay visible. Imperfection adds character. Fast-drying acrylics lock in energy. Layers create history on the canvas. Edges carve rhythm and motion. Negative space balances intensity. Color interacts through texture, not blending. Trust intuition over precision. Mastery lives in fearless experimentation. #texturedabstractart #texturedartoncanvas #abstractacrylicpainting #acrylicpaintingtutorial #acrylicpaintingoncanvas #texturepainting #paletteknifepainting #abstractart #acrylicpaintingforbeginners

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The fourth and final layer of a 60x48” stripe painting 🌷 This was the moment I finally added a raw umber wash, something I’d been holding off on until the very end. Even after doing this for decades, mistakes still happen, and I accidentally didn’t use enough water and waited too long to wipe it back, so parts dried more than I planned. I was able to correct it by adding more water and scrubbing a lot. After I sorted out the wash, I stepped back to think about where the eye was getting stuck, and decided where to subtract and where to add small punches of color that were too greyed down from the wash to bring the painting back to life. Painting is always a conversation - between control, mistakes, and intuition - and this final layer was all about listening. You can see all the layers from start to finish at the end of the video. 🏷️ Abstract Painting Process, Large Scale Painting, Stripe Painting, Layered Painting, Painting Mistakes, Artist Studio Process, Contemporary Abstract Art, Mixed Media Painting #artwithadele

I will use every drop of this beautiful color. This was the final touch on a nearly finished painting - a soft, pale blue that almost disappears until it catches the light. It’s always the smallest details that change everything. Do you see where it shifted this piece? 👀 #artistreels #paintingprocess #abstractartist #artiststudio #paintexture