Underpainting in Watercolor – Strathmore Artist Papers

In this free workshop, Mallery will walk through what an underpainting is, how to choose the right color, where to use it, and how it fits into your own creative process. With step-by-step guidance, color demos, and hands-on practice, you’ll see how layering with purpose can make your work feel more alive and connected.

CLASS LINEUP

Lesson 1: What is Underpainting

Underpainting in watercolor involves applying a light layer of paint to establish the basic tones, values, and/or mood of a painting. It also can serve as a way to establish values. We’ll paint a tree with an underpainting on the right side and no underpainting on the left so we can compare halves.

Lesson 2: Monochromatic vs Complementary Underpainting

We’ll explore how to pick your color for underpainting as we compare two pepper paintings. There is no “wrong” color, there are just different options we’ll explore that can change the final look of your piece.

Lesson 3: Warm vs Cool Underpainting

Starting with a warm or cool underpainting will dramatically change the overall mood of your piece. Neither is right or wrong, but it is helpful to understand the differences to give you confidence in achieving your desired outcome. We’ll compare two oranges completed with a warm vs cool underpainting.

Lesson 4: Underpainting vs No Underpainting

We’re going to paint the same landscape scene twice: one with an underpainting and one without so you can really see the difference in the end. We’ll add multiple layers in landscape one as we create underpaintings, and we’ll paint landscape two more traditionally working from light to dark.

SUPPLY LIST

Paper:

Paint:

Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolor Travel Set, 12 colors

Brushes:

Princeton Aqua Elite, Neptune Travel, or Velvetouch Round Size 8

Pencil:

Lyra Rembrandt Art Design Graphite, 2B

Other Supplies:

• Paper Towel
• Water Cup
• Painters Tape
• Optional: Light table to trace or you can use a window