That’s great news Melanie! Why not try the same “underpainting” colours in pastel!

It’s fun to explore ways of underpainting Jane! Exploration is always a goooood thing. I’ve explored and right now my preference is a dry underpainting that echoes my thumbnail. For me, it just makes the whole process of painting easier. And painting is hard enough!!
Regarding the reds and pinks peeking through, I also use those same underpainting colours on top. It’s a continuous act of layering.

And YES, being able to control your pressure is super important!! (And there’s a lesson on this in IGNITE!!)

Delighted to hear these examples drive the message home 😀

I think I’m still approaching my art little too tentatively and quite detailed. I am going to give this a go. (Going to bring the 31 day challenge courage to explore into my art play)

When I painted with acrylics I used to use complimentary colours in the underpainting.

Thanks so much Hans. AND I’m delighted to hear the post has helped you to see the importance of this idea. Can’t wait to hear what happens with your work when you try it!

Hi Rod, so glad to hear it was a timely post! And thanks for the grin on my face! I think a lot of it is throwing of bones and see what turns up! And, a wee bit more seriously, I just shared some thoughts with Christine above plus a couple of links to some posts on colour studies that may be useful.

Hey Christine, I’m glad I make it look easy lol because really, each painting feels like new territory – I’m never quite sure what will happen! Choosing the colours for the first layer can be an adventure! Some of the things I consider are – if the painting is going to be generally cool, I may start with warm colours. Sometimes, I’m looking for a secondary colour eg green grass – but it has a bluish bias so I may use blue as my underpainting middle value. Sometimes, it’s all a bit random! As I mentioned above, this post may be helpful. You could also check out this one!

Pat – thank you for your warm appreciative comment!!! I am smiling ear to ear!!
I look forward to hearing about what happens when you start thinking about the colour choices as you are creating your value study. You may enjoy this post I did on colour studies.

Thanks Ruth!! I’m glad it’s a good reminder 😀

Hi Eddie – great to hear from you. Thanks for sharng your art journey since the second lockdown. I’m glad to hear you are back to painting again! Oils and gouache are wonderful painting mediums and quite different from each other! As you’ve discovered, this idea of big shapes can apply to any artwork you’re doing. (I was going to say two-dimensional work but realise the same can apply to sculpting whether additive or subtractive.) If you use oil with a medium like Gamblin’s Galkyd, it will dry fairly quickly.