Medium for imprimatura

[Mai Ly]

Hello Everyone,

What is the best medium (or mixture) for an imprimatura layer? I was going to use my glazing medium (like Galkyd )with the paint for this technique. But from my Ralph Mayer Artist's Handbook, he suggested that Damar Varnish or glazing medium are not good for this purpose. I would like to know what mediums that most artists on this site use for that purpose.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Sincerely,
Mai

[William Whitaker]

Perhaps it's a good idea to post a series of five photos on one of the ways I do an imprimatura.

The paint medium content is ultimately so low that it doesn't matter what you use. I use almost anything I have on hand. An Alkyd resin is very nice.

[William Whitaker]

I add a little turpentine here to thin it down.

[William Whitaker]

This is where I show real talent, passing color from my glass tray to my canvas balanced on a painting knife and not spilling it all over.

[William Whitaker]

My paper towel of choice is a Scott "Rag". That's an industrial strength shop towel I buy at a home store.

[William Whitaker]

Sometimes I do such a terrific job toning the canvas that I can hardly bear to paint on it.

That is not the case with this illustration though...

[Tito Champena]

Some artists use acrylic for toning the canvas because it dries quickly and they claim that it does not cause any problems with the subsequent layers of oil paint. I personally prefer to stick to the time tested techniques even if I have to wait longer for the imprimatura to dry.

[Mai Ly]

Thanks Tito for your input and Bill for your mini demonstration

I used to tone my canvas with paint thinned with turpentine and without any medium. But I will go and try the way that has been suggested by Bill now.

I never used acrylic for underpainting. It is just a matter of individual preference in my case. I love the consistency and texture of oils, but not so much with acrylics myself.

Thanks again!

Mai

[Tito Champena]

In the old days they used tempera for the underpainting and the underpainting. I guess one has to respect the advice of our ancesters who did not want us to repeat their mistakes. I use either a turpentine wash or tempera for the imprimatura. Most people want a modern INSTANT formula but that is not always possible. Leonardo Da Vince was a scientist too and he tried to get away from the advice of the elders, but most of his experiments ended up in disaster.

[Tito Champena]

Remember May Li that the imprimatura is only a toned canvas that has to be dry before you start applying paint. What comes next is the important thing.