Using an Underpainting
EXPLORING THE INITIAL LAYER OF PAINT
In moments of artistic inspiration, sometimes our instinct is to dive straight onto the white of the canvas and immediately begin blocking in our subject with paint. But before jumping into anything, consider the advantages of using an underpainting, whether you’re working in oil, acrylic, or even watercolor.
An underpainting, also called an “imprimatura,” is a thin, transparent initial layer of paint applied to canvas or paper. Because paints are never completely opaque, the color of the underpainting will influence the hue and temperature of all successive applications of paint. Many artists even allow some of the underpainting to peek through between brushstrokes. All of this comes together to create visual unity within a piece through color harmony.
For those who are intimidated by a blank canvas, an underpainting may give you the jumpstart you need by eliminating the white of the canvas right off the bat. It also prevents bits of the white canvas from showing through your final work and giving it an unfinished appearance.
Several types of underpaintings exist in the art world—it seems that every artist has his or her own way of handling this technique. Whether you stick to muted neutrals, go all out with bright hues, or use a variegated wash of multiple colors, it all falls under the broad underpainting umbrella. —ETG
Artist Caroline Zimmermann uses a gradation of orange to purple as an underpainting for this warm, rich floral still life.
Artist Tom Swimm uses a lively magenta underpainting as the first step to creating this sunlit café scene.