History on the Imprimatura technique
“Imprimatura” literally translates from Italian to “first layer of painting”. The primary function of Imprimatura is to act as a solid color to remove the light contrast of the plain canvas. It can be done with a variety of colors, and doesn’t apply to just one color palette.
It was a tradition used in the Middle Ages and stopped being used during the beginning of the renaissance, when Verdaccio underpainting, or terre vert, was quickly adopted.
How to do Imprimatura
This style of underpainting can be quite simple in terms of application. The desired consistency is very thin paint, that creates almost a light wash over the canvas. This is done with a thinner like distilled turpentine for oil painting and water for acrylic painting.
It is best to cover the canvas completely, and if you would like, leave out areas that will be highlighted. I personally like to cover the canvas after having sketched out the concept, and then doing another layer of wash after the first has dried on only places that will be darker when the actual paint is applied.
It leaves a transparent enough base for the artist to highlight and darker certain areas for the initial strokes.
How to select the right underpainting colors for your painting
I recommend using cooler toned paint on the canvas for imprimatura if you are doing a warmer toned painting. The same goes for the opposite: use a warmer toned imprimatura for a cooler toned painting.
When the main focus of a painting is one color, you can also use the opposite color on the color wheel as your underpainting. Using an opposite color as a deeper shadow can give the painting much more depth than if you were to use a black.
It mutes the canvas
When using a canvas, the bright white background can be very dominating when trying to paint. Imprimatura creates a great foundation for you to visualize the colors you will paint with.
FAQ
Is underpainting really important?
I use underpainting frequently and I find it to be a very important step in the painting process. It is not necessary, but it greatly aids in completing a concise and cohesive piece of artwork.
What type of paint is best for imprimatura?
I like to use imprimatura for oil paintings the best because of the richer color that it has. Imprimatura and Verdaccio are the most popular for oil painting, grisaille being my desired for acrylic.
What color should your underpainting be?
Your underpainting should be a rough opposite of whatever the basis of the rest of your painting is. On the color wheel, look at your focus color for the actual painting and go to the opposing side for your imprimatura inspiration.