Portrait Of KING (Part 2): Blocking In The Underpainting | Equine Oil Painting

Creating an Underpainting or First layer of a horse painting in oils by artist Nikki Carr.
For me, an underpainting is always more than simply ‘blocking in’ broad areas of colour.
It’s also about building texture with loose brushstrokes and working with the light and shadow to find the underlying bone and muscle structure of the subject.
When working with an animal as my subject, the brushstrokes need to follow the direction of the hair, even in an underpainting - building up a texture that will still have an impact on subsequent layers of paint. This is how we can begin the process of creating depth in a painting with a much more realistic result.
Paying close attention to the direction of the hair (which can twist and turn across an animal’s body) will also help to establish where the light and shadow falls, as it is always dictated by the skeletal and muscular structure beneath the surface.
Let’s do this!
Let me know what you think so far - I always love to hear from you in the comments below 👇
P.s. Don't forget to hit like and subscribe if you found this video useful! 😍
Come and find me over on my blog INSIDE THE STUDIO. Sharing my artistic process, new projects, new dreams and all the hurdles, triumphs and mistakes along the way. Watch new work evolve and hang out with me while I answer all your questions (with a few freebies and discounts thrown in for good measure 🤗)
nikkicarrartis...
Buy original art, prints and commissions www.nikkicarr....
Contact me: [e-mail]