Koi Fish Swimming at Volunteer Park

My goal in this painting is to create textures that are rich with movement and color. I achieved the background texture by first applying a thick layer of color to the canvas. Next I drag a toothed puddy knife through the paint in circular motion. Once the paint is tacky, I apply a single layer of tissue paper. I allow the paint to dry overnight. Then I paint the top of the tissue paper. Once that layer is dry, I sand the surface to pullout the interesting colors from underneath. Then I clean off the dusty residue with a wet towel. Once dry, I go crazy splattering with paint. In the end, the energy invested in the background results in something special.