Underpainting is an essential preliminary stage in the painting process. It is a monochrome version of the final painting that serves as a blueprint for the composition of your artwork. This technique provides a map of values, helps bring unity to the colors, and can add depth to your painting. Here are some steps on how you can create an underpainting.
Step 1: Choose Your Medium
The first step in creating an underpainting is choosing your medium. The most common mediums used for underpainting are oils and acrylics because they dry quickly and give a solid foundation upon which you can build your artwork.
Step 2: Prepare Your Canvas
Before you start painting, it’s critical to prepare your canvas. Start by applying a layer of gesso to your canvas to create a smooth surface for your paint to adhere to. Once the gesso has dried, you can begin sketching out your composition with a pencil or charcoal.
Step 3: Create a Tonal Sketch
Once your canvas is prepared, begin by creating a tonal sketch of your composition. This means drawing out your design in different shades of one color. This helps you establish the values (lights and darks) in your painting before adding color.
Step 4: Apply Your Underpainting
Now, it’s time to apply the underpainting. Using a thin layer of paint, fill in the areas of your sketch with the appropriate value. The lightest areas should be almost white, while the darkest areas should be almost black. You want to make sure that all areas of the canvas are covered with paint, leaving no white spaces.
Step 5: Let it Dry
Once you’ve completed your underpainting, let it dry completely before moving on to the next step. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days depending on the type of paint you used.
Step 6: Add Color
After your underpainting has dried, you can start adding color. Start with thin layers of transparent color, gradually building up to thicker, opaque layers. Keep referring back to your underpainting as you add color – it should guide you in terms of light and shadow.
Step 7: Refine Your Painting
The final step is refining your painting. This involves adjusting colors, adding details, and making any necessary corrections. It’s important not to rush this step, as this is where you’ll really start to see your painting come together.
Creating an underpainting may seem like an extra step in the painting process, but it can greatly improve the final outcome of your artwork. By establishing values early on, you’re able to create a more cohesive and balanced composition. So why not give it a try? It might just take your paintings to a whole new level!
