underpainting

Initial paint layer

Underpainting is a preliminary layer of paint applied to a canvas before the main colors and details.

It establishes the composition, values, and tonal structure that subsequent layers will build upon.

Traditional underpainting often uses monochromatic tones—gray (grisaille) or brown (brunaille)—to map out light and shadow: The warm underpainting shows through the cooler glazes above.

technique

grisaille

Painting solely in greys

monochromeSingle-color rendering
tonalRelating to pitch
layeringForming successive strata

glaze · wash · chiaroscuro · transparency · opacity

ground

gesso

Absorbent primer for canvases

primerPreparatory coat or guide
canvasHeavy woven cloth
linenFlax-derived textile

panel · substrate · sizing · absorbency · tooth · preparation · basecoat · sealer · archival · support

color

umber

Natural earth pigment

siennaEarthy artist's pigment
ochreIron-rich earth pigment
neutralNot favoring any side

warm · cool · monochromatic · complementary · value · tone · temperature · pigment · gray

medium

oil

Slippery viscous fluid

acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
temperaEgg-yolk painting method
gouacheOpaque water-based medium

watercolor · alkyd · linseed · turpentine · solvent · lean · medium · binder · vehicle · quick-drying

underpainting

grisaille

gesso

umber

oil

underpainting

Opposites

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