Learn how to give your paintings a strong foundation by starting with a one-color underpainting. Instead of being intimidated by a blank canvas, beginning with a one-color or tonal underpainting gives you a head start with the layout of your painting and helps create harmony with your colors. We’ll demystify this traditional painting technique and use it to create vibrant acrylic paintings.
In this class you will learn:
<ul>
<li>Learn how to make a tonal underpainting. </li>
<li>Practice painting values accurately (areas of light and dark in a painting).</li>
<li>Paint in loose, bold layers to create a striking final image.</li>
</ul>
Why take this class:
If you’ve ever felt stuck when starting a painting or if you want to learn a technique used by many contemporary artists and old masters, this class is for you. I often use underpainting in my own work, especially when painting outdoors, to help get started quicker.
Our class project:
In this class we will make one painting that starts with a one-color underpainting, based on a subject of your choice.
Recommended materials:
<ul>
<li>One canvas, gesso board, or other sturdy painting surface. (I don’t recommend paper, only because it can sometimes wear down.)</li>
<li>Acrylic paints (Any colors, but I will use perylene red, hansa yellow medium, pthalo green, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, titanium white, and paynes gray.)</li>
<li>Palette or other place to mix paint</li>
<li>Paint brushes</li>
<li>Paper towels or a cloth rag</li>
<li>A reference image of your choice</li>
</ul>
Links to Historical Paintings that Use Underpaintings:
<a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436504" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Adoration of the Magi, </a><a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436504" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Giotto. The Met Museum</a>. 
<a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-A-4691" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Self-portrait, Rembrandt van Rijn. The Rijks Museum.</a>
<a href="https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/raphael-saint-catherine-of-alexandria" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Raphael. The National Gallery.</a>

Introduction

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What is an Underpainting

Create Your Underpainting

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Start Strong: Create a Vibrant, Layered Acrylic Painting

Project Example by Michelle Boerio

Project Example by Michelle Boerio

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