Underpainting

Definition

Underpainting is a technique used in painting where a base layer of paint is applied to create a foundation for the final artwork. This initial layer, often executed in monochrome or a limited palette, helps to establish composition, form, and tonal values, allowing artists to build subsequent layers of color and detail on top. It is particularly significant in the context of landscape painting, where capturing light and atmosphere is crucial.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Underpainting was commonly used by many major landscape painters of the Dutch Golden Age, as it helped establish the overall structure and lighting of the scene.
2. This technique allows artists to correct mistakes in composition and value before committing to the final colors and details.
3. Underpaintings can be created using various media, including oil and acrylic paints, with oils being particularly favored for their ability to blend smoothly.
4. The choice of color for underpainting can significantly affect the overall mood and tone of the finished work, with warm or cool undertones influencing how colors appear on top.
5. Many artists would often allow their underpainting to show through in certain areas of the final piece, adding depth and interest to their landscapes.

Review Questions

• How does underpainting contribute to the overall process of creating a landscape painting?
  • Underpainting serves as an essential foundation in landscape painting by establishing key elements such as composition, light, and tonal values. By applying this base layer, artists can map out the scene effectively, ensuring that they have a clear vision before moving on to more complex layers. This technique not only aids in visualizing the final outcome but also allows for adjustments and corrections before committing to detailed work.
• Compare and contrast underpainting with glazing in landscape painting techniques. How do both methods serve different purposes?
  • While underpainting lays down a foundational layer that defines structure and tonal values, glazing is a method applied after the underpainting has dried, adding transparency and richness to colors. Underpainting helps artists address composition early in the process, whereas glazing enhances depth and vibrancy in the final layers. Both techniques are vital in landscape painting; underpainting provides the initial vision while glazing refines it with luminosity and complexity.
• Evaluate the impact of underpainting on the viewer's perception of light and atmosphere in Dutch Golden Age landscape paintings.
  • Underpainting significantly impacts how viewers perceive light and atmosphere in Dutch Golden Age landscapes by allowing artists to create a structured base that enhances the interplay of light and shadow. This initial layer establishes a tonal foundation that informs how subsequent colors interact with each other. As a result, the use of underpainting often leads to a more convincing representation of natural light effects, making landscapes feel immersive and dynamic while highlighting the artists' skill in manipulating color and form.

Related terms

Glazing: A technique where thin, transparent layers of paint are applied over dried underpaint to create depth and luminosity in the artwork.

Grisaille: A painting technique executed entirely in shades of gray or another neutral color, often used as an underpainting to establish values before adding color.

Impasto: A technique that involves applying thick layers of paint to create texture and dimension on the surface of the artwork.