Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Never heard of underpainting, or unsure why an artist would use it? This video talks about some of the reasons, both personal and scientific, why underpainting can benefit a painting. I also demo the simplest form of underpainting, using a flat color wash as a base for a simple still life.
Supplies used in this video:
- watercolor paper (you can paint on any painting surface: canvas, panel, etc)
- acrylic paint: black, white, phthalo blue, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, burnt sienna, yellow ochre (you can use other variations of these hues; they'll just create slightly different mixtures than mine!)
- acrylic brushes; I used a few flat brushes
- palette knife (optional for mixing)
- palette paper (you can mix on any kind of palette that works for you! Old plastic lids work great)
- water and paper towel for cleaning brushes
Never heard of underpainting, or unsure why an artist would use it? This video talks about some of the reasons, both personal and scientific, why underpainting can benefit a painting. I also demo the simplest form of underpainting, using a flat color wash as a base for a simple still life.
Supplies used in this video:
- watercolor paper (you can paint on any painting surface: canvas, panel, etc)
- acrylic paint: black, white, phthalo blue, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, burnt sienna, yellow ochre (you can use other variations of these hues; they'll just create slightly different mixtures than mine!)
- acrylic brushes; I used a few flat brushes
- palette knife (optional for mixing)
- palette paper (you can mix on any kind of palette that works for you! Old plastic lids work great)
- water and paper towel for cleaning brushes
