Why is it important to allow each layer to dry before glazing over it?

Allowing each layer of paint to dry before applying a glaze over it is crucial to avoid mixing colors unintentionally. When wet paint comes into contact with other wet paint, it can lead to unintended color blending, resulting in muddy or unpredictable hues. By ensuring each layer is dry, artists can maintain the integrity of the colors they have applied and achieve the desired effects with the glaze. This practice helps in building depth and richness in a painting, as glazes are often transparent and meant to enhance or alter the appearance of the colors beneath without altering them directly.

Other options may seem relevant but do not accurately address the principle that underlies this practice in painting. For instance, creating a thicker paint layer is not necessarily achieved through drying; rather, thickness can be influenced by the initial application technique. Saving time during the painting process is generally not a priority when layering paint, as the focus is more on the quality of the application. Enhancing drying speed is not a primary concern with respect to the glazing process either, since the aim is to prevent wet paint interaction rather than to accelerate drying. Thus, the importance of drying each layer is fundamentally about preserving the artist's intended color palette.