Indirect Painting Project

Part 1: Grisaille (underpainting)

The grisaille is the monochromatic underpainting, traditionally done in flake white and umber or ivory black. For our project, please use black and white acrylic.

Remember that the grisaille should adhere to the following guidelines:

• The range of value should be towards the light side, from pure white to about a medium dark grey at the most.
• The finished grisaille should be more tightly rendered than you expect the finished painting to be.
• All drawing and volume issues must be addressed in the grisaille. You can’t easily ad-lib with glazes.

Your underpainting may be any size, but I suggest it stays towards the small side, roughly 11 x 14. It may be something observed, like a still life or landscape, or it may be completely made up and non-objective. It could be a master copy.

Part 1 is due on March 10.

Part 2: Glazing

Using one of the mediums I suggested, gradually build up glazes of color onto the grisaille. Do one layer at a time, allowing a few days of drying time in between. The more layers you do, the more the effect will show its abilities. You may want to map out a plan of action ahead of time. Remember that you ideally want to glaze darker colors over lighter ones. Do not tint colors (add white) and try not to mix them too much on the palette. Remember that the whole point is to optically mix colors like stacking thin layers of colored glass over a light table.

The final painting is due at the final class of the semester.