Underpainting

Oil painting - underpainting of a dog commission. - XLBully

I love an underpainting, as it helps you know the subject before any sort of committal. Everything you see here will be cover with 2 or more layers of paint.

Why bother then?

Firstly, this first layer helps the other layers stop being absorbed by the canvas

Secondly, it helps map out the where and how the subject will look on the canvas - best time to start again, if it doesn't work.

Thirdly, you get to know your subject at an early stage. As my chosen subject is mainly animals, I get to connect with them (I think this helps in making a piece exceptional). That twinkle in the eye, the highlight on the mouth, the practise of fur direction, length and thickness.Things that are overlooked in the reference (as you are absorbing it all at once)and you can't decided here what you want to bring to the focus or push back at this very early stage.

The only time I consider not doing an underpaint is when I am not after realism!!

La Flanca