Layering in art reveals the beauty of texture, composition, and colour, inviting us to look more closely at how artworks are built. From expressive impasto paintings to detailed, delicate watercolour designs, layering remains one of the most captivating ways artists bring their visions to life.
The Classics
We begin with an iconic example of layered technique: Vincent van Gogh’s Mulberry Tree. Created in his signature impasto style, this work bursts with thick, energetic strokes that rise off the canvas, portraying movement, colour, and emotion.
In contrast, Claude Monet’s Impression, Sunrise demonstrates conceptual and atmospheric layering. Through translucent washes of colour and softly overlapping forms, Monet creates a scene full of subtlety and expression. His layered approach builds mood as much as it builds the composition.
Layers in Print: The Art of the Giclée
Layering in art is not only for original works; it also translates beautifully into giclée prints, preserving every brushstroke, ridge, and tonal shift. High-quality prints capture the depth, colour, and detail of layered originals, continuing the essence and character of the original artworks.
Celebrating Artists and Their Layered Techniques
Oil painting offers unmatched richness and depth, and local artist Izzy Webber has been exploring this medium since 2022. Izzy’s use of layering adds depth and emotion to each piece, creating paintings that invite reflection. We produce giclée prints of her work, ensuring that the texture, colour, and nuance of every layer are beautifully captured in print.
Watercolour layering is a delicate art, and local artist Willow Paterson brings it to life through her intricate illustrations of the coast and countryside. Willow builds her illustrations layer by layer, creating stunning detailed designs. When translating these designs into giclée prints, the richness, depth, and subtlety of Willow’s watercolours are beautifully preserved.
Contemporary pastel artist Erica Ankers uses layers of vibrant colour and loose, textural marks to create semi-abstract paintings that capture the energy and atmosphere of our surroundings. Each layer builds movement, depth, and emotion, resulting in dynamic, expressive pieces. Through giclée printing, the intricate layering, subtle textures, and vivid tones of Erica’s pieces are expertly reproduced.
Abstract artist Rafael EM creates striking, multi-layered paintings using both palette knives and brushes, building complex layers full of texture, depth, and movement. By translating the layers of his paintings using giclée printing, we preserve the richness and energy of Rafael’s work, allowing the bold impact of his layered abstracts to be experienced beyond the canvas.
Layering is essential as it builds a finished piece, adds emotion, depth, and expression, and reflects each artist’s unique style. We’d love to see your own layered artworks, so share them with us and join the celebration of this captivating creative process!