Learning Grisaille
by Judy Thomas
I have a new favorite technique, grisaille! Celeste Johnston and I wrote about this technique last month. The the class is not quite over (we were interrupted by the March snow storm), but all of us have made progress in learning this method. To refresh, grisaille involves a monochromatic underpainting or drawing, and color is applied on top. This Old Masters' technique creates a great deal of depth. Celeste first showed us samples of ways to do the grisaille layer: graphite, watercolor, colored pencil, India ink wash, Sumi-e ink wash, and technical pen. Here are some of the samples we were shown and some student practice:
Another model of grisaille from Celeste..
We spent the first class practicing all the different techniques, deciding which to apply to our plants and flowers.
Below are our works, still in progress (they are not finished!), that show the stages of grisaille:
Rebecca Spangler "Hydrangea in Winter," graphite and watercolor, in process
Kay Lindberg "Early Daffodils" graphite and watercolor, in process
Judy Thomas, "Amaryllis 'Tres Chic,'" graphite and colored pencil, in process
This is a wonderful technique that I love!
"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." Vincent Van Gogh
