underdrawings

Underdrawings are preliminary sketches made directly on a canvas or panel before paint is applied.

Artists use underdrawings to establish composition, proportions, and major forms before committing to the final painted surface.

These initial drawings, typically made in charcoal, chalk, or diluted paint, often remain invisible beneath finished works but can be revealed through infrared reflectography and X-ray analysis.

Art historians study underdrawings to understand an artist's creative process and to help authenticate works.