Indirect Paintings: Step 2 - Underdrawing

Anna Bilińska-Bohdanowicz, 1892, Self-portrait       Jan Van Eyck, 1437, Saint Barbara

Indirect Painting: Step 2 - Underdrawing

When an underdrawing is done is based off of the artist's preference. Some will make an underdrawing before laying down the imprimatura, but modern artists tend to complete the imprimatura before starting an underdrawing. 

Underdrawings can be quick and rough, as you can see in Anna Bilinska-Bohdanowicz's Self-Portrait, or increbily detailed as in Saint Barbara by Van Eyck. A good underdrawing will have the following characteristics: 

1. Painted using naturally quick drying oils. Earth tones fall into this category.  
2. Painted with solvent only and no additional oil. This will allow the underdrawing to dry quickly. 

Below are three videos which highlight three different ways to create an underdrawing: