PaintBox Tip #128 Why is underpainting so important?

There’s a lot of confusion about underpainting in watercolour. It’s somewhat similar to underpainting, or blocking-in, in other mediums. In other words, blocking-in colours strategically (or playing it wild to leave strategy at the door!). I have 2 processes for underpainting:

1. An abstract wet-in-wet which gives me a gorgeous soft-edged mysterious layer of colour.
2. A wet-in-wet loosey-goosey layer of strategically placed light to mid-values around whites (yes you have to know where you want them to be).

The trick is to paint the next layer of values whilst leaving some of the whites and some of the first wash showing. Even if your important values get a little lost, they will be retrievable if you use good quality watercolour paper and paint.

There’s another idea to consider:
You can keep painting into it while it’s wet/damp, especially if you start with paper wet on both sides. Most watercolour painters are reluctant to paint into wet or damp but, personally, I find this the most fun, rewarding and absorbing element of watercolour. Just use less water and havie a play with placing values to tell your story. Like me, you might need to change your brush to accommodate the amount of water you need so you can avoid blooms where you don’t want them.

I map my painting out and consider my process before I start. For example, I need to know where to place the yellow for a lemon if I want a yellow lemon (my next lemon with be pink!!). I stick with transparent colours and leave opaque and granulating pigments for later, this way I know that everything will work together nicely. Having said this, one of my students pulled out an old painting with a French Ultramarine background. She overpainted with reds and yellows – I was so pleased that she made it work – fearless – excellent - ‘nuff said!!

Be prepared for your painting to develop a life of its and to throw caution to the win. Stop and think, create a new strategy if need be.

Underpainting in watercolour can enhance your colours making them stronger, richer and more exciting. Soft-edged background shapes add depth, volume and mystery. Totally delicious!!

By this time your painting is probably dry (or you need a break!) and your painting will be ready for some calligraphy detail marks with some lovely rich colour straight from the tube – can't beat it!

Give your painting a final check – does your painting say what you want it to say? The cool thing is you don’t have to decide right now!! But do consider if it looks balanced, is it pleasing? Is there anything annoying you? I just discovered a problem area in a painting I thought I had resolved – so annoyed as I deliberately added “the problem” thinking I was so clever! Prop your painting upside down so you can see when you are walking past, this will give you a better understanding of the composition and structure, if it looks right upside down it will be right in its frame!!
 
let me know what you think in the comments below!!

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