Meadow Walk. Painting #53. Acrylic Layers in Black & White
Date Painted: January 13, 2019
Size: 11 x 14 canvas
Meadow Walk is painting #53 and marks the first piece I completed in 2019. Painted with acrylic and black and white gesso, it came to life during a unique stretch of time—I was living away from home, staying in an Airbnb about 45 minutes away. With the distance manageable, I was able to swing home and grab a few art supplies from the house under repair, just enough to keep the creative pulse going.
The place had a detached garage and an unused easel, almost like it was inviting me to paint. And that invitation? It couldn’t have come at a better time. Being able to create while away offered a real morale boost. People say art is therapeutic—I’d say they’re absolutely right. Painting has played a big role in supporting my mental health throughout the long process of disaster recovery.
The Inspiration
This piece was a gentle reentry into painting. Since I wasn’t working from my home setup, I chose a subject that didn’t require much gear and kept things light. It’s based on a photo taken by someone I know, and I genuinely enjoyed the process. What I especially love about these kinds of paintings is experimenting with tools—different brushes, sponges, even paper towels. Each adds a different texture or feel. When it all comes together just right, the result is something like a high-contrast photograph.
I’ve got more ideas in the queue—just need to carve out the time to bring them to life.
Materials Needed
Though they don’t require a lot of materials, these black and white acrylic pieces take time and patience. They’re built through layers—each one needing to dry before the next is added. Acrylics dry quickly, sure, but the rhythm of layering still calls for a little restraint. It’s not just painting—it’s pacing.
To paint something in this style, all you need is a black and white photo. That reference gives you the value range to work from—unless you’re one of those rare talents who can paint without one. Lucky you, if that’s the case. You also will need:
You can buy gray gesso, but mixing black and white gives more control over the values you want to achieve. Gesso isn’t mandatory, but it’s good to have for the sky or base color—especially for a smooth, workable foundation. From there, it’s just a matter of mixing the black and white to hit your value targets. That part’s trickier than it looks, but there’s a lot of fun in solving that puzzle.
Notes From the Easel
For blending, I find that it’s best to let the first layer dry a little bit so the colors don’t mix so easily when you put one on top of the other yet allows you to still blend what you need. It’s all trial and error if you’re not experienced.
When it comes to blending, I find it works best to let the first layer dry slightly. That way, the new layer doesn’t immediately muddy the color, but still leaves room for blending where needed. It’s all trial and error, especially if you’re learning on the fly.
Find a black and white image that speaks to you and give it a go. Let me know how it turns out—there’s something liberating about stepping away from the usual wet-on-wet methods and embracing a more deliberate style.
If you’re dabbling with monochrome painting, drop me a note—I love hearing how others interpret value and contrast. For more black and white acrylic tips check out my post about Rays of Sunshine.
Happy painting!