An alternate way to retain the visual elements of the underdrawing in the upper color layers is to mix clear encaustic medium into the colors to make transparent glazes .
Another less obvious but crucial element in my picture-making process is the use of geometry . As a student , one of my weaknesses was my inability to compose a competent layout . My concentration was limited to rendering forms while neglecting the picture as a whole . This led to poorly arranged elements which would either be placed dead center or would run off the page . At this time , I had the opportunity to take private drawing lessons from muralist and illustrator Alton Tobey . Through his teaching , I learned to look at my work as a whole and to compose my elements into a unified image . Over time , his invaluable advice took hold as I discovered how to imbed the golden rectangle and other geometric subdivisions into my compositions .