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As promised in my previous blog, Backgrounds Should Never Be an Afterthought, I'd like to illustrate one of several ways that I go about handling backgrounds in my paintings.   Today I will address Planned Backgrounds. Keep in mind that the background is the space around the subject that should support and enhance the subject, not detract or distract from it. Planning from the start is probably the most straightforward way to accomplish a harmonious background for your painting.   Underpainting. On 300lb cold-pressed paper, I drew almost everything that I wanted to include in the final painting. Then I applied masking fluid on tiny areas where [...]