Why I Love Underpainting in My Artwork

Hey friends! It’s Karen from Over the Artsy Moon, and today I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite techniques that I use in so many of my paintings: underpainting.

If you’re new to the term, underpainting simply means adding a layer of color to your canvas before you begin the actual painting. Instead of being intimidated by that stark white surface, I like to grab a big brush and swipe on some color. It instantly gives the canvas life, and sets the tone for the whole piece.

Why Underpainting Makes Such a Big Difference

1. Underpainting instantly sets the mood!

Different colors create different emotions, and they absolutely influence the final feel of the artwork.

• A burnt umber underpainting gives a rustic, cozy warmth.
  
  
• Periwinkle adds a soft, moody vibe.
  
  
• A fun pop of hot pink (like in my joyful carolers painting!) adds excitement and unexpected highlights.
  
  
• Yellow ochre gives everything a warm golden glow.
  
  

I love how these colors peek through later in the painting, the little surprises that make each piece feel alive.

2. Underpainting gives the whole painting unity.

Once you’ve brushed color onto the background, bits of it naturally slip through into the layers above. Maybe you’ll see traces of warm brown in a sled, behind a scarf, or even around a hat. These subtle touches unify the entire piece, tying all the colors together beautifully.

3. Underpainting helps you loosen up.

One of the biggest benefits of underpainting is that it frees me from feeling like I need to cover every speck of white canvas. With color already underneath often times my brushstrokes flow more loosely, I feel less anxious, and I just naturally paint with more freedom. That relaxed energy really shows in my final piece.

4. Underpainting speeds up the process

Underpainting only takes about five minutes (even less if you're working quickly), and it saves so much time later on. Plus, when the canvas already has color on it, the painting feels like it moves along faster because you’re not fighting that intimidating blank surface.

5. Underpainting adds depth and magic

Every layer you add builds on the one before it. When those little bits of underpainting peek through, they create depth, warmth, vibrancy, and texture! Those layers are where the magic really happens.

How I Do It

Now that you know why underpainting makes such a big difference, I’m excited to share how I actually do it. I’m a big fan of keeping things simple and this process is no exception. First, I grab a big brush and choose a color based on the mood I want for the painting. Depending on the look I am going after, I will either add a little water or keep it thick. Gently sweep the brush across the canvas, let it dry, and start painting. It really is that simple! You can make it darker, lighter, more intense, or more transparent depending on your goals, there’s really no wrong way to play.

Give Underpainting a Try!

If you haven’t experimented with underpainting yet, I hope this inspires you to try it in your next project. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it adds so much character to your finished artwork. If you need a visual be sure to watch this video on my YouTube channel where I share step-by-step how to underpaint on your next project!