The underpainting creates the form of the image and gives the colours something to show up over, especially over a black base, then the colours are applied over the top. If I were to paint with colours straight away, they wouldn't be as vibrant and if i used transparent colours (think a glaze) they wouldn't show up at all over a black base. So think of the white underpainting as the active colour to build the image, then you lay all the colours over the top
You are viewing a single comment's thread from:
Thanks for the in depth answer @jwmackay, you're right, I notice this in my paintings but generally I use a red underpainting to create warmth.. I love how paints do this. Keep up the excellent work I'm looking forward to more. Painters unite!