Master a Technique Every Painter Needs

Master a Technique Every Painter Needs
The process of underpainting has such a buttoned-up reputation. If it were cast in a movie, it would be the uptight, by-the-book stickler that no one wants to hangout with. But there’s another side to underpainting—one that’s freewheeling with an “anything goes” attitude. It allows artists to take a dry run at the canvas, working out compositional questions and value issues or mapping out a complex color scheme while keeping a lot of options open so that painting can evolve organically.

The multi-hued underpainting of The Bouquet by John Taye.				The Bouquet by John Taye, 2008, oil, 16 x 12.

Most artists tend to work gesturally when underpainting. They block in large elements or passages of color and save the fine details for the final stages of the piece. But beyond that, there are no hard and fast rules about the process. Although underpaintings historically tend to be monochromatic, with pigments used for an almost watercolorlike effect, artists can also incorporate multiple colors into underpaintings or play off adjacent complements, much like Seurat and Signac did, as well as contemporary artist John Taye.

Columbia Clouds by Scott Gellatly

An underpainting can also invigorate areas of a composition that are fairly uniform but also have many facets to them, such as large expanses of air or water. Laying down blue over orange or green over red and allowing parts of an underpainting to push through can help capture light and atmospheric effects on canvas and adds vibrancy and visual interest to the final painting.
So in a twist fit for daytime soap operas, a dull and tedious underpainting can actually become a free-spirited process that allows us to work according to our artistic needs and style. You can create a dress rehearsal for your work and also start to understand how painting masters created complex color layers and luminous light effects. How do you approach underpainting in your work? Leave a comment and let us know. And for a better understanding of the material aspects of your chosen medium, The Encyclopedia of Oil Painting Techniques, The Encyclopedia of Acrylic Techniques, and The Encyclopedia of Pastel Techniques are available and may give you insight on how underpainting—and more—contributes to the versatile visual effects of each medium.

Open Call to Artists! Big Awards!

http://www.3rdwardopencall.com/?from=asingularcreation2

What would you create for $5,000, three months in NYC, and your very own art show? You have the vision and now 3rd Ward is offering you a place in the international art world. You are invited to submit a portfolio of your best completed artwork, work-in-progress or conceptual proposal for our Summer Solo Show. A 3rd Ward Membership not required.

Call to artists! :)

http://www.studiovisitmagazine.com/

Imagekind Link Found! Where are the rest?

Have you been in Imagekind?  Wow!  What fun looking through all different types of art!  Fine art, whimsical designs--even graphical creations!  Something for eveyone for sure!

I've recently been trying to consolidate my portfolio--you know, leave out the 'er, what the?' images and leave only 'the good stuff'.    This has found me searching through all the sites I've participated with over the years, (since 1994), and what a challenge!  Emails lost in the mass of sites--how to link these all together in one spot?  Hmm--still pondering here as I go through them one by one making lists.  At this point it's pretty overwhelming for sure.

The reason I mention imagekind is because of their layout format--it seems to be one of the best out there.  They have quality products, easy ordering and pretty thorough customer service if you do need help.  Nice!

Stop by if you get a chance--it's candy for the art oriented eyes!
Cheers!

-Kerra

Car Auto Wreck Accident Paper Greeting Card from Zazzle.com

Car Auto Wreck Accident Paper Greeting Card from Zazzle.com

Another successful 'I draw for YOU!' card! A special request from our new form on the website www.icansketchu.com.

Just send me an email of what you'd like-be as specific as possible about your desired theme.

I will confirm via email for you, send you the link to YOUR new card for purchase, and it's shipped off to you or your desired recipient--easy!

I'm just an email away for YOUR card--you can email me at:

Kerra@icansketchu.com

Cheers!

-Kerra