I began two new abstract paintings on canvas with backgrounds full of color. Using tubes of heavy body Liquitex acrlylic, I placed small spots of these colors randomly on the canvases: white, black, cadmium yellow medium, vivid red orange, cadmium red medium, cobalt blue, and burnt umber. On the first canvas I also used sap green, on the second--green deep permanent and light blue permanent.
After applying all the colors to the front and sides of the canvases, I took a very wet brush and blended the colors throughout. On the first canvas, I went back and added more white because I felt the background would be too dark otherwise.
This is just the first step in paintings I expect will take many painting sessions, with each layer drying in between.