Choosing to produce a drag painting on ply board is a tedious process. The end results however are not possible with canvas. The canvas is too flexible and the weave is not conducive to the desired effect. The photos show the first drag of just basic colors. The second completed image shows the finished product…notice the dark shapes in the foreground which were also dragged over the base layer, giving some wonderful surprising effects. Here are the steps briefly for the drag painting process outlined:
Choose any size 1/2 in. ply board and you will tell the supplier you want one good side. Prime twice and sand thoroughly. I routinely sand between coats but a good sanding after the second is critical. Use an orbital sander with 100 grit. A water based primer is acceptable.
If the panel is three feet or larger you will need to reinforce the back with stiffeners to keep the panel from bowing or warping. A flat, even surface is necessary for a good drag effect but also when you frame the piece. I use 1 x 2 hardwood as a frame stiffener on the back, glued and nailed. Yes, you have to putty the nail holes and prime those as well. Like I say, tedious work. I try and do three of these at at time which helps on labor time.
Work is best done flat. Squeeze paint directly from the tube unto the surface – mostly along one edge. Try to think in terms of horizontal bands of color and which hues you would like to see near the top and which in the middle and which colors will predominate on the lower section. Squeeze your paint out accordingly. Use a squeege that is at least half the width of the primed panel. Place it on the edge where the paint is and applying even pressure now drag from side to side without stopping. Now drag the center section and then if necessary the lower section.
You will be quite surprised at the wonderful blending of all the paints. Take time now to study what you have done. This is just the beginning. You may want to drag certain sections again or add paint and drag again. Some areas may require lightening or darkening. Remember that once this first pass dries you will come back with additional passes in a couple weeks. Also in a couple weeks after the base has dried is when I add in certain overlays with a brush.
Summary: This is a wonderful way to get started in painting abstracts. The drag painting provides an immediate and s