The Grisaille

​(Fr. gris. grey)

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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