Underpainting

“In painting, an underpainting is a first layer of paint applied to a canvas or board and it functions as a base for other layers of paint. It acts as a foundation for your painting and is a great way to start your painting off with some built in contrast and tonal values. It’s a technique that was widely used by the old masters. … Underpainting is simple, but can have major effects on the rest of the painting” (“Underpainting: Why You Need to Do It,” Jerry’s Artarama [blog], accessed July 28, 2021, https://www.jerrysartarama.com/blog/underpainting-why-you-need-to-do-it/). Underpainting prepares the canvas and the painter for the actual painting. It’s an active waiting.