Behind the Design: Reverse Painting Birds (Updated 2025)
Creating artwork often starts with a single spark – in this case, a series of birds delicately painted using the reverse painting technique. What began as loose experiments in a sketchbook soon developed into fully realised design style, ready to bring life and character into design for products.
In this post, we’ll look at the history and development of this unique method of design.
What is reverse painting?
Originating from Medieval Europe, reverse painting is a technique where you work from the back to the front of a surface building up the highlights and details first before layering the background over the top. It’s a process that forces you to think differently, painting in reverse order – almost like working backwards through the design.
The process goes against the artist’s instinct as you paint the design in reverse order. Starting with the finer points of the design, then building up the painting to finally end with the background.
“Traditionally, reverse glass painting consists of several layers of paint applied to one side of the glass while the painting is viewed from the other side.” – Sherrie Eatman, vam.ac.uk
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From fine art to film...
The technique of reverse painting was widely used in classic animated films, including Disney’s Snow White (1937), Pinnochio (1940), alongside many other much-loved classics. These animated films are made up of thousands of animation celluloids positioned one after another to create the moving animation.
Learn more about animation cels from Walt Disney himself: Walt Disney’s MultiPlane Camera (filmed: Feb. 13, 1957).
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Reverse painting on a budget
Inspired by the smooth, glossy finish of reverse glass painting, I wanted to find a budget friendly way of trying the technique. My illustrated bird set of artwork, shown below, uses acetate instead of glass and gouache for painting.
If you’re going to use acetate to do this process, make sure it’s thick enough. As you’re using wet medium, it can get heavy and it’s useful for the acetate to withhold the weight. During the process, each layer needs to be completely dry before applying the next layer. Using a thicker acetate also means it can withstand a some heat, allowing you to dry each layer quicker with a heater.
Experiment with your paint of choice before starting; thinner, water-based paints won’t work on the glossy finish of acetate. Oil, acrylic, and gouache paints are the best for the painting technique.
Using the technique...
I created the below set of bird illustrations using the reverse painting method. The set includes a Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, and (my favourite) a Kingfisher.
Behind the Design: Reverse Painting Birds (Updated 2025)
Reverse painting is one of those techniques that reminds me why experimentation is so valuable in design. It’s not always about a perfect outcome, but about the developing ideas along the way. For me, these bird illustrations became a springboard for exploring new textures and directions in my work, and a reminder that creative play can often lead to the most interesting results.
Curious about how experimental techniques can translate into wallpaper and fabric design? Explore how I use different techniques in my portfolio.
FAQs
Reverse painting is a technique where paint layers are applied in the opposite order to traditional painting. The final result often reveals unexpected textures and effects, making it popular for experimenting design work.
By working in layers and embracing the unpredictability, this technique often leads to unique motifs and textures. These can be digitalised and developed into repeat patterns for wallpaper and fabric collections.
Not at all. It can be done with standard paints (not water-based) and office acetate, making it accessible to anyone exploring new design techniques. The key is in how the layers are built and later adapted for surface design.
