How to Use Your Surfaces to Make Color the Star of the Show with Ali Kay

In her paintings, Ali Kay (Ep.61) wants color to be the absolute star of the show.

Does she do this through paint?

Absolutely.

But it’s not the only material that matters.

Surprisingly, her surfaces also play a big role in this.

As an acrylic painter, Kay has the choice between textured or smooth surfaces. And she chooses smooth every single time.

She doesn’t want texture distracting her viewers from the star, color. So she uses surfaces like wood that don’t add texture.

Put it to Practice:

Canvas, with its small grooves, will add a bit of texture to a painting. And if you don’t want that added texture, you have other great options.

Wood panels and cradled boards are both wonderfully smooth textures.

If those options are too expensive, Kay recommends you head to the hardware store.

Get a big sheet of masonite (also known as hardboard), and have them cut it down to different standard sizes of board. That way you have a dozen inexpensive (and smooth) surfaces to get started with.

Not only will this keep your cost low and the quantity high, it will give you a big stack of smooth surfaces to practice on.