Underpainting is a foundational technique that can transform your pastel paintings, adding depth, mood, and vibrancy before the first soft pastel touches the paper. Bethany Fields, an eminent pastel artist and board member of the Pastel Society of America, shares her expert insights on how to harness the power of underpainting to elevate your artwork. Whether you’re a beginner facing the daunting blank page or an experienced artist looking to refine your process, Bethany’s approach offers practical methods and inspiring ideas to enhance your pastel paintings.
Art School Live: The Power of Underpainting in Pastel
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Starting a painting can feel intimidating—especially when confronted with a blank canvas. Underpainting serves as a gentle entry into the creative process, allowing you to build a value map and establish the composition’s structure before applying soft pastels. Bethany emphasizes that underpainting is not just a preliminary step but a soothing ritual that settles you into your studio sanctuary and sets the tone for the entire piece.
“Underpaintings are that little hint to come closer to our painting process,” she says. “It really settles me into the painting vibe.”
By creating a value map, or a notan-like sketch, you define light and dark areas, shapes, and textures, which guide your pastel layers and help create a cohesive, vibrant final painting. Watch the video above to learn more!
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Join us for the 5th Annual Pastel Live online art conference, featuring Aaron Schuerr, Rita Kirkman, Albert Handell, William A. Schneider, Vera Kavura, W. Truman Hosner, Tony Allain, and many more! The event takes place online September 17-19, with an Essential Techniques Day on September 16. Learn more at PastelLive.com. (No tech skills? No problem! If you can click a link, you can join our event!)
