A Secret Weapon for Underpainting
An underpainting is the initial layer of an oil painting. This foundational layer serves as a guide for the subsequent stages of the painting, helping to establish composition, values, and overall tonal relationships. Steven Walker, featured instructor of our upcoming workshop series, Artists Classroom, uses a unique tool while underpainting to create a more effective foundation for his paintings.
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Underpainting Basics
If you’re new to painting, here’s what you need to know about underpainting.
1
Decide on a color scheme for your underpainting. This can be a single color (monochromatic), a limited palette of colors, or a complementary color scheme that contrasts with the final colors you intend to use.
2
Block in the composition with diluted oil paint or a thinned-down mixture of paint and solvent. Focus on establishing the basic forms, proportions, and placement of objects or figures in the scene. Keep this stage loose and gestural.
3
Use variations in tone (lights and darks) to create a sense of depth, dimension, and lighting. At this stage, you’re primarily concerned with the distribution of light and shadow across the canvas.
4
As the underpainting dries, you can begin to refine some details while maintaining a focus on the overall composition and values. You’re not aiming for intricate detail at this stage; rather, you’re refining the basic shapes and enhancing the visual structure.
5
Consider texture in the underpainting. Heavy brushwork can affect subsequent layers of paint.
Steven’s Recommendation
When considering the texture of the underpainting, Steven has a recommendation for a tool that you can use. Rolling a rubber brayer, like the one below, helps to smooth ridges in the brushwork and evenly distribute the paint. This leads to a nice, smooth underpainting layer that can be painted over when dry.
Speedball Deluxe Soft Rubber Brayer, 1.5-Inch
The Speedball Deluxe Soft Rubber Brayer is a high-quality tool designed for block printing with any kind of ink, but also can work with oil paints and is used by Steven Walker as a means to manage the consistency of underpainting. It has a soft and flexible rubber roller, a sturdy steel frame, and a comfortable plastic handle. It is easy to clean and made in the USA.
What are your tips and tricks for creating an underpainting? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Meet the Artist
Steven S. Walker, a seasoned artist with over two decades of experience, holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a focus on illustration from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree in fine arts from Marywood University. He has participated in numerous local and national juried competitions, including those hosted by prestigious organizations like the Oil Painters of America and the Art Renewal Center. Steven’s talent has been acknowledged with awards, including a judge’s award from the editor of art collector magazine. With support from his wife and studio assistant/daughter, he continues to advance his career and is currently showcased in more than ten galleries nationwide.
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