Comments on: The Acrylic Painting Academy – Underpainting Part 1

By: Gayle Madden

Gayle Madden — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 21:35:08 +0000

I’m going to try toning the entire canvas with a light raw umber before beginning the grisaille. It seems I might be better able to determine whether I am adding a light gray tone, or just seeing the natural canvas white. I may be over thinking this. I’ve only done direct painting and am a little hesitate to start this lesson…
Thank you.

By: Jerry Speer

Jerry Speer — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:40:27 +0000

DURING YOUR UNDERPAINTING—-PLEASE TELL US WHAT SIZE BRUSH ARE YOU USING FOR SUCH A FINE TOUCH???? THANKS!!

By: matt

matt — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 13:29:37 +0000

In reply to lori schneider. Hi Lori, I use a black and white version of the subject when matching values is paramount. This is the case with this painting approach. I mix the grays that I need and compare them to the grays that I observe. Sometimes, I may print out the black and white photo and touch the surface with my mixed color with a brush before going to the canvas. This helps to ensure that I have a close match.

By: lori schneider

lori schneider — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 22:56:18 +0000

Hi Matt. When observing the reference photo, how do you determine what values to apply in the background where the foreground tree is covering it. I’ve been following your painting but wouldn’t be sure how to determine shapes and values from the reference photo alone. BTW….I’m absolutely loving your courses. You have a amazing way of communicating in a organized and simple way that I can finally understand. I’ve already learned so much. Thank You!

By: Jessica Leighton

Jessica Leighton — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:51:28 +0000

In reply to matt. I can see the video but can't hear it

By: matt

matt — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 13:16:12 +0000

In reply to Soma Pradhan. Hi Soma, Creating an underpainting allows the artist to approach the painting in terms of value first and then color after the values are in place. It simplifies the painting process so that the artist can focus on making decisions regarding value without having to think about color. And then decisions about color after the values are in place. This usually results in greater accuracy in each case. With direct painting, both the value and color are addressed at the same time. You can't always look at a painting and determine which method was used. Sometimes an underpainting is created, but then direct painting methods are applied over the top. And sometimes, a direct painting will also have areas that have been glazed.

By: Soma Pradhan

Soma Pradhan — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 09:52:50 +0000

Hi Matt
Is underpainting a superior method compared to direct painting? Why would one use this method when practically we are going over the painting twice. What are the advantages of underpainting over direct painting? while looking at a painting can one make out what method of painting was used? I thoroughly enjoy your course material and hence am eager to know more. Thanks in advance.
Soma

By: Maria Rosa Judez Riquelme

Maria Rosa Judez Riquelme — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 19:18:42 +0000

Hi Matt, when I put the grisaille,I covered all the drawing and needed it for the trees and the location of the bushes. What can we do when that happened? Do it again!!

By: Karen Lorenz

Karen Lorenz — Fri, 01 May 2020 17:59:17 +0000

This changed my entire concept of the meaning of “underpainting” which was completely wrong! So happy to be here and be learning! I’m skimming through these videos and then I will come back a take it one step at a time. Very eager!

By: Kari Dalton

Kari Dalton — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 13:25:24 +0000

Could this technique be used for colors other then greyscale?