KAROL OAKLEY, Master Pastellist PSA, International Artist & Tutor OAKLEY FINE ART
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The Curious Artist Blog.

Your blog all about painting.

The Grisaille

10/2/2023

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​(Fr. gris. grey)
Picture
When I first heard this painting term I didn’t know what it was about. Was it something to eat, paint with, a look, a style, a pet to pat or a technique?

To define Grisaille, means to paint entirely in a monochrome, in a series of greys. While monotone refers to one colour, any one colour, grisaille refers to painting in a range of greys as the colour.

So why paint a grey picture? Artists have often painted a grey blockin or underpainting. This then becomes the base to build a painting on top off.   It is used to set the tones in a work of art.    Google Grisaille in your browser and find images that show off artworks that have used this method. Be surprised at how old this technique is. 

Is this something that you do? It is rare these days to find an artist who creates a painting using this method. Has it gone out of fashion? Probably as we all rush for the quick way to do a painting. Traditional ateliers, some art schools and some tutors will teach this method today.
A grisaille can be used for oil and pastel painting easily. As an underpainting and blockin it sets the tones for the artwork. It is a useful way to do a thumbnail before starting a painting to see that tones are placed to match the artist's intention for the work. 

So are you going to give it a try?   I am, as it is a top way to get my tones correct at the beginning of the painting. Then I can match the colours to the tone of the underpainting.

This is my start to my painting year with a Grisaille for my oil painting. A tip for beginners, watch those paint mixes!  I mixed  greys from two colours plus white. Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue.  I got to much of the Burnt Sienna  onto my brush as you can see on the bottom left of the grisaille.

When this is dry the next stage will see the local colours go on top. The painting will be built out layer by layer.

If you do a Grisaille  post it on social media do tag me in with @karoloakleyartist so that I can see your good work and cheer you on!

Happy Painting,

with best wishes,
Karol

PS: I have a micro course available on Tone In Art. It is short, informative and has downloads to use and learn with. Use this link  TONE IN ART PRESENTATION MICRO COURSE.  See if the course is right for you, read more about it and follow the prompts to go through and buy this short informative course.
Members of The Online Art Society already have this in their Library and some of you may have done this with me as a live workshop earlier this month.

Not a Member of The Online Art Society? Head on over to the website and read our story. https://www.theonlineartsociety.com/

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    ​​The Curious Artist Blog-
    talks about everything and anything to do  with painting.
    It's my aim to share techniques, tips, tricks, adventures, products, paintings, educate, inspire and foster the appreciation of painting.
    I welcome your feedback and questions and don't promise to post regularly, but to let you know when I do post .
    ​I'l give it my best shot to answer  your questions and if I can't I'll let you know. Gee I may even be able to give you the name of someone who can answer.
    Either way this blog is about art, artists and everything to do with painting and drawing, being informative, heck maybe even inspiring,  all aimed at making painting enjoyable. I sincerely wish you to join me on this adventure.  best wishes, Karol

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    Karol Oakley
    A Master Pastellist who loves to talk about pastel and anything to do with arty stuff and painting in general .

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Karol Oakley is a Professional Artist and member of :
The Pastel Society of Australia (PSA)
Australian Guild of realist Artists (AGRA)
National Association of Visual Artists (NAVA)
Pastel Society of Southern California

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  • Home
  • Blog
  • Online Pastel Learning
  • Buy Paintings
  • Newsletter
  • Workshops
  • Information
  • Paintings
    • Plein-air
    • Pastels
    • oils
  • Tours
  • Contact
  • About
    • Awards
  • Events
  • Testimonials
  • Artist In Residence
  • 5x5" Paintings to Collect