Discover the MAGIC of an underpainting for painting landscapes [Forgotten Road: Part 1]

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

If you'd like to learn more about my approach to painting landscapes - be sure to register for my *FREE workshop: Secrets to Painting Beautiful, Realistic Landscapes* 👉 laynejohnson.com/workshop

[@Handotr]

Using the acrylic pen is a really great tip! Thanks

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

You're welcome!

[@marnitzvermeulenart]

The imprimatura almost serves as a value study, it seems. I've only started painting with oils and still find it daunting, but your tutorials are very inspirational. Thank you.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

That's exactly right! If you haven't yet, watch my free workshop, it goes into more explanation of the 4 stages: laynejohnson.com/workshop

[@marnitzvermeulenart]

@@LayneJohnsonStudio - It's telepathy...😅I've got your webpage open and am currently watching your tutorial on How to paint a Sunset sky...😍

[@fineartbymattphilleo]

Fantastic process, Layne! I appreciate how you narrated what you’re doing rather than just play music over a Timelapse. You built up excellent contrast. Recently, I have started doing a grisaille in my acrylic figurative work and then glazing on top. Do you have the part 2 for this video where you apply color? I’d love to see it.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks very much! Yes, there’s a full playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLYi0xqR3jTP414NssiJ2iKCCp10HuohMi&si=6dZgFpykm1U-aRZy

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Layne, I just found your channel and I thank you for this video. I love to paint in layers. Great tutorial, great resource. New subscriber!

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@TargetSuite]

Well done, Layne. I had no idea there was another painting hiding underneath all of your work 🎨

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks, George! 🙏

[@rembvanrijn]

Thank you, Layne, for a really excellent demo!

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

You've very welcome!

[@pablofernandez7772]

Beautiful work and love the studio. Living in NYC that space feels like a dream.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks! I know what you mean. My first "studio" was a spare bedroom and my drawing table was in the closet.

[@pchabanowich]

The obelisk cabinet of drawers is sublime.👍

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Yep, it's pretty handy!

[@This.is.it307]

Wonderful instruction. Excellent audio clarity too.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Glad you found it helpful! 🙏

[@angelomariano9494]

Beautiful work and fantastic studio space! Thanks for sharing : )

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thank you! 🙏

[@nigelmorton3652]

Thankyou that’s what I’ve been wanting to see for years ;

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Awesome!

[@margaretbutters6181]

so so lovely bringing it all to live - thankyou

[@libbyneves5457]

Thanks!

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thank you! 🙏

[@laurapope4715]

Very impressed at hiw fast depth and value is established..value is always tough fir me

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks very much!

[@michellelewis3262]

I just found your channel. I have learned so much from your videos already. I looked at your free webinar and plan to take one of your other tutorials. I am learning from videos and realize how wrong the things I have been doing are. I have signed up for a live oil painting class. I will take you class after and hopefully combine what I have learned. Very excited to start. I can’t wait to understand the materials better. Thank you for making things so clear.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Wonderful!

[@J316-u1n]

Thanks Layne, looks like Sanguina and we have all the structure with values. Many thanks

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

You're very welcome!

[@pchabanowich]

wonderful and encouraging.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks very much!

[@NancySmolic]

How much mineral spirits do you add to the paint and what is the name of your drying medium? How much of that do you use, I'm asking because no one ever gives you that recipe sp to speak, I'm new to oils and find it very confusing, I ruins my canvas by adding. Way way way to much zest it to my paint and didn't know about a drying medium, now it's waxy and won't dry, I hope this post isn't so old that I never get an answer from you, your work is beautiful thank you for your time Nancy

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Hey Nancy - I believe you got your answer on this one via email? Hope the ebook helped!

[@NancySmolic]

@@LayneJohnsonStudio yes I did! Thank you very much 😊

[@DylxiiArt]

Beautiful work ❤

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thank you! 🙏

[@KathyClaxton]

What workable fixative do you use? Can you give the pencils you use for drawing?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

I use Krylon's Workable Fixatif spray. I typically use Conte pencils or some form of charcoal for my sketches.

[@dbarber59]

Love watching your technique. I want to learn these methods. May I ask the source of the photo that Forgotten Road is based on? Thanks! Dave

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks! I take LOTS of photos of the Texas Hill Country. I don't remember the exact location, but this was somewhere in either Gillespie or Llano counties.

[@ibrahimop149]

Thank you your vedio really helped me a lot great job

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Awesome!

[@ZulkefliGhani]

Wow very nice Painting Sir .i like you style in Painting. I still always follow you channel

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks very much!

[@awhalewatcher]

Can you do that rub out technique when using acrylic paints?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Yes, you just need to work faster, or find a way to slow down the drying (i.e. use a water mister, OPEN acrylics, or a slow drying medium).

[@audiedelladams5226]

What kind of screen/ device, are you using to show your sorce material picture?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

It's just a monitor attached to an old laptop. But it's mounted on an arm that allows me to rotate the monitor depending on whether I'm painting a horizontal or vertical composition.

[@mynameisjustj]

Would like to have you describe your mahl stick system.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

I've got a video on that. Take a look and let me know if you were looking for something else. Using a Painters Mahl Stick: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5-kfWinl8SIgLM

[@CarolettaMurtari]

Hi! I was wondering what you recommending for reactivating dry areas, I am not an english speaker and couldn't quite understand. thank you!

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

If you're painting with oils, just use your solvent to reactivate the paint.

[@terrymellway8464]

What is the device that has your image with the grid lines on?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Hey Terry! It's just a monitor that's attached to an old laptop. But I have it on an articulating arm so I can turn the monitor either horizontal or vertical.

[@Dianabenitez1234]

Thank you muchas gracias saludos de francia ❤😊

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

You're welcome!

[@ibrahimop149]

Sir what about arcylic colours do you paint with them also other than oils what about the results

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

I painted with acrylics for many years, but only oils now.

[@incognito3620]

Nice value study.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks!

[@yvonnebastien393]

I cannot find part 2; please help

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Here's the full playlist with all 4 videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLYi0xqR3jTP414NssiJ2iKCCp10HuohMi&si=kbkcntR1yhilju_b

[@yvonnebastien393]

@@LayneJohnsonStudio Thank you sooooooooooooooo much!🙂

[@incognito3620]

I am so glad you did this free hand. No grid and not a projector or other mechanical device. Good for you.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Actually, I do use a grid.

[@piotrkaniewski5686]

Grid can be seen while he is drawing

[@nckey42]

Lol

[@andreavignes3153]

You can’t see the grid lines?

[@lindas.martin2806]

He said he used a grid, but I do not know how he calculated it from a square to rectangular format.

[@suranjanghimire659]

very thanks my guru jee 🙏

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

You're welcome!

[@Jacklette]

when the drawing is completely covered with the underpainting color. How can one paint what was drawn before?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

You can still see many of the lines from the sketch. And you should still have your reference photo to refer to. The sketch was primarily to get the big elements in place.

[@Jacklette]

@@LayneJohnsonStudio thank you Layne. I will certainly try it. Your painting looks wonderful. Greetings from Munich/Bavaria

[@salwaa.a574]

Hello could I use this Technique with Acrylic painting pls.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Yes, of course! However, since acrylics dry faster, it's best to slow the drying time so you have time to work. For example, you can 1) use a spray water bottle to keep the paint wet, 2) use an acrylic retarder medium, or 3) use OPEN acrylics.

[@margaretbutters6181]

thankyou

[@mortenjacobsen8376]

Just a question about the acrylic pen you use; will any type of acrylic marker do? Or is it a particular type of acrylic pen? And which colour would you recommend? I usually do the lines of my underpainting using burnt umber oil paint and a thin brush but this looks so much faster. Great videos - so glad I stumbled on your channel :)

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Yes, it is faster. Here's the marker I like: amzn.to/3QnGPA4 The color really depends on what you're painting. But for typical daytime landscapes, I like a rusty or orange color.

[@Cherrytomskins]

Hey! I’m not doing something right, what kind of drying medium are you using? Also, funny story- i recently had surgery and when i woke up i was still loopy from the anesthesia, i was telling the nurse to write your name down and watch your videos 😂

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

That's hilarious! But thank you! I use Liquin Fine Detail.

[@Photographerjaker]

Hey Layne whats the main purpose of underpainting ?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

For me, it solves a lot of the value choices without color getting in the way. It basically jump starts the painting.

[@kiloromeo7653]

Clicked link to your free workshop but both the "Register Now" do nothing when I click on them?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like there's an issue with the platform we're using to host the workshop. We've reported it, so hopefully it'll get correctly quickly. Be sure to check back later!

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

It's working now 👍 laynejohnson.com/workshop

[@ebbelaurssoerensen3908]

GREAT !!!

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thanks!

[@davidjohnson1536]

Where is part 2?!

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

It was published yesterday, so you can see it on my channel (www.youtube.com/@laynejohnsonstudio) or in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLYi0xqR3jTP414NssiJ2iKCCp10HuohMi

[@Abikiansophie]

What is that screen where you have your reference?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

It's just a monitor attached to a laptop. 👍

[@sisaygetachew2069]

Thank you for the video. I am your fan. By the way what is the unusualy goldish substance you paint 😊as primary?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

If you're referring to the imprimatura (the first layer), it's Burnt Sienna oil paint thinned with odorless mineral spirits to create a paint wash. 👍👍

[@margaretspurling8162]

I heard acrylics pen. Is it all acrylics? You let it remain overnight. Acrylics dry fast i thought. Do you ever use oils or both at times?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

No, the painting is actually all oils. - just the pen was acrylics. I don't personally use both in one painting, but you CAN start a painting in acrylics then switch over to oils (but NOT vice versa!).

[@NancySmolic]

With your dark paint on the second day is that also mixed with mineral spirits? And a drying medium ( which is?) Again no one tells you this part

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

No, I only thin the imprimatura (the first paint wash). After that I don't use any mineral spirits to thin my paint. I use Liquin as my primary medium.

[@joaquimteixeira8297]

Epic

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thank you! 🙏

[@kenneth1767]

I love this method, except I draw by erasing. I've had a couple of underpaintings sell off the easel. Surprising how many enjoy the vintage feel of the monochromatic.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Right?!

[@linilin2641]

You don't gesso the canvas first?

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

I always prep my canvas with gesso. And I typically add more coats even to store bought primed canvas.

[@lorenzobadari5175]

Good.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

🙏

[@michaellinner7772]

So kids, this is why you don't build the roof to your home before the foundation. 😉

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Lol! Yes, exactly!

[@JibrailMakaudis]

Learn US how to mix basic paint. Thanks from Indonesian... ..

[@Artist_Crafter]

❤❤❤❤

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

🙏

[@Maliika-Art1979]

❤❤❤❤💖😱🎨💐💐🖼️💖

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Thank you!

[@renzo6490]

OMS= odorless mineral spirits

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Correct

[@leavingitblank9363]

I find this video hard to follow. I've taken classes and watched a lot of videos on painting, but you're using terms that are so unfamiliar to me that I don't even know what you're saying. Seeliard? (Captions thinks it's "steel yard".) Three-spot hybrid armature? You did explain "imprimatur", which was helpful (although not "bister"??), but I wish you'd explain the other terms in your videos. Underpaintings are sort of an elementary concept in painting, so I expected this to be geared towards a beginner painter.

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

Sorry you had a hard time following. This might help: 1:10 Here's where I explain what a Steelyard composition is (one large mass offset by a smaller one). Steelyard is probably the most common design stem. If you want to learn more about composition, look for the book by Edgar Payne, _Composition of Outdoor Painting_ . 3:29 Here's where I begin explaining what Bistre is (the rub out method where I remove paint with a crushed up paper towel for the highlights). You might also find this video helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKW2e2Skesqbb9E You can also download my ebook for free if you want to learn more about Imprimatura-Bistre: laynejohnsonstudio.ck.page/ebook22

[@nckey42]

Thanks!

[@LayneJohnsonStudio]

You're very welcome! Thank you! 🙏