Underpainting: The Foundation for Rich, Layered Paintings

If you’ve ever wondered how classical painters achieved such depth, luminosity, and realism in their works, the secret often lies in a technique known as underpainting. Underpainting is a foundational step that has been used by artists for centuries, from the old masters like Rembrandt to contemporary painters who appreciate the value of a structured approach. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, incorporating underpainting into your process can transform your work, giving it the complexity and richness that makes a painting truly stand out.

What is Underpainting?

Underpainting is the practice of creating a monochromatic or limited color base layer on the canvas, often focusing on value (light and dark) rather than color. Think of it as the "skeleton" of your painting, mapping out where the light and shadows will fall, and setting the tone for the rest of the artwork. The purpose of underpainting is not to worry about color just yet—it's about establishing a solid structure. This first layer helps create depth and dimension, which allows the subsequent layers of paint to appear more vibrant and cohesive.

Why Underpainting?

So why should an artist use underpainting? The answer lies in the numerous benefits it offers to the painting process:

• Establishes the foundation: By focusing on values first, underpainting creates the basic light and shadow structure, which is crucial for building up the painting.
• Enhances realism: By defining the depth and volume from the start, underpainting gives your final piece a more three-dimensional, lifelike quality.
• Saves time: Underpainting allows you to map out the overall structure quickly, helping avoid confusion when it's time to layer on full color. It’s like creating a roadmap for your painting.
• Improves the final look: The underpainting helps your final layers of paint glow by allowing them to sit more naturally on the surface. It also gives your piece a sense of unity, as the values and tones from the underpainting work harmoniously with the final colors.

How Underpainting Builds on Toning

At this point, you may be wondering how underpainting relates to toning. The two techniques are closely connected, and when used together, they build upon each other.

• Toning the canvas: When you tone your canvas, you’re laying down a colored foundation that’s neither too dark nor too light. Toning the canvas helps eliminate the harshness of a stark white surface and provides a neutral base for the painting to grow from.
• Underpainting on top of toning: After toning your canvas, you can begin the underpainting process. If you’ve chosen a warm tone for your canvas (such as ochre or burnt sienna), your underpainting can be done with a complementary color to help create contrast and depth. If you’ve started with a cool tone, like a grey or blue, your underpainting might focus more on highlighting the shadows.

Together, toning and underpainting create a solid and harmonious base for the painting. The toned canvas sets the mood and atmosphere, while the underpainting defines the form and structure. When these steps are done correctly, they create a well-planned and cohesive work of art.

Underpainting: A Practical Example

For example, let's say you’re painting a portrait. You could tone your canvas with a light ochre or burnt sienna. Then, with an underpainting, you would use a dark brown or even a deep red to map out the values of the face, making sure the light and shadow are clearly defined. The underpainting would help you block out areas like the shadows under the chin, around the nose, and in the eyes. This monochromatic layer would guide your subsequent color layers, ensuring that the lighting and contrast are effective throughout the painting.

Whether you're painting a portrait, landscape, or still life, using underpainting as a starting point helps bring structure and clarity to the painting process. The tonal values set the groundwork for your composition, giving you more control over the final outcome.

Learning from the Masters: David Leffel

Underpainting is a technique I first learned from watching the great classical artist David Leffel. His approach to painting, especially his lessons on value, light, and underpainting, have been instrumental in refining my own artistic process. While I’ve learned much from many artists, David Leffel's clear teaching style and focus on classical techniques have been invaluable in helping me understand the role underpainting plays in creating depth and life in a painting.

If you're interested in learning more, I highly recommend checking out David Leffel’s teaching resources. You can find his work on YouTube, where he often shares insights into his process, and his lessons on ArtTutor dive even deeper into topics like underpainting, glazing, and brush techniques. If you're serious about mastering classical painting techniques, his resources are an excellent place to start.

Tips for Starting with Underpainting

For those new to underpainting or looking to refine their technique, here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Start simple: Begin with a monochrome underpainting, focusing only on values. Using a single color like burnt umber or a neutral grey allows you to concentrate on light and dark before introducing color complexity.
• Focus on values: Before worrying about color, it’s important to establish the light, midtones, and shadows of your subject. Work from dark to light, starting with the shadows and gradually adding lighter areas.
• Layer gradually: Build up your underpainting in layers, letting each layer dry before adding more paint. This helps ensure that the values remain clear and that your layers don’t become muddy.

Final Thoughts

Underpainting is an essential tool in an artist’s toolkit, especially for those looking to bring depth and realism to their paintings. By taking the time to establish strong values first, you lay the groundwork for a more vibrant, dynamic final piece. And when combined with toning, you give yourself the best chance for success.

I highly encourage you to experiment with underpainting in your own work. Whether you’re new to the technique or revisiting it, it’s a valuable step that can take your painting to the next level. And, if you’re looking for more guidance, be sure to check out David Leffel’s lessons on YouTube and ArtTutor for some in-depth tips and inspiration.