How useful is a black acrylic underpainting?

In just over 10 minutes Dutch painter Janhendrik Dolsma lets you in on his experience in using a black acrylic underpainting as a guide. While at it, he shares some of his rag-techniques.

[@davidaarons2488]

Well done. Those railings turned out awesome, that's the best stainless-steel painting I've seen. Your skies and sea go without saying, it's where you shine.

[@PaintingSkies1]

I'm really pleased with your stainless-steel comment. It's not exactly my expertise, so your reaction is very much appreciated!

[@rizawanahmed2090]

Yet an another amazing, breathtaking photragaphic painting from the King of painting skies.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Rizwan, you're to kind...

[@jendavis9185]

This is beautiful as always. You’re so talented. Your style and subject matter reminds me of the talent of this man that I used to care for. He was an amazing artist before he got sick. He developed early onset Alzheimer’s. His paintings were amazing. I tried to get him to paint all the time… one day he decided to show me how he paints to teach me pointers. Well, he got the paints out. When it came to him mixing paint colors, he kept mixing complimentary colors for some reason. I could tell he was getting frustrated. So I tried to help, and he lost it. He threw the whole thing, paint, easel, canvas, etc across the room. Paint everywhere. My heart broke for him. I cried. Not because he hurt my feelings, but bc I feel like I caused that. My thought process was, I cared for many ppl that have Alzheimer’s, and when ppl do something day after day before they got Alzheimer’s, sometimes they still remember how to do those things. I figured painting would be a good coping skill, and make him feel better. It back fired. I cared for a lady that was a hairdresser… she could still cut hair (on a mannequin) but she forgot how to talk, one guy could still ride a bike, etc. it is so crazy how the brain works and how it breaks. The bright side was the next day, he forgot all about it. But I didn’t. 😢

[@PaintingSkies1]

What a heartbreaking story, Jen, thanks for sharing. Must be hard, caring for people with Alzheimer. I hope destiny has something else in store for me...

[@coramuller6065]

Love it, Janhendrik, your artwork is always magnificent ! You're an excellent painter ! Kind regards from Germany. Have a good week.

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's very kind of you, Cora. You have a good week too!

[@marciahorton2203]

I really liked that you let us hear your thought process as you work. It is also very helpful to see how "mistakes" are no real big deal and that they can be corrected easily and when the painting is completed no one is the wiser. Beginners worry too much that "mistakes" mean failure and that the painting is ruined. Your techniques are so masterful, the flag looks like fabric, the railing looks metallic, so fabulous.Thank you for showing and teaching us this fantastic painting. I loved seeing both of your cats they are so precious! Take good care, stay safe! :)

[@PaintingSkies1]

You're right, Marcia, about making mistakes. Perfectionism is probably the root of this fear. That's why my motto is 'This will do for now'. I was really pleased to read your comment on the railing.

[@346UNCLEBOB]

Excellent. ALWAYS enjoy your videos!

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, uncle Bob!

[@47stampe]

Again thank you for sharing , the railing is brilliant ! I’ve tried to paint Chrome such as a chrome headlight . With little success

[@PaintingSkies1]

My pleasure, thanks. The chrome railing was quite a challenge for me too, it's a little outside my comfort zone. For your headlights you may want to check American photoresists from the seventies, in particular Richard Estes. Success!

[@amitsaxenaa1968]

Beautiful sea as always and railing is awasome..Thanks for sharing

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Amit. Good to hear you like the railing!

[@phoenixphoenix8868]

My first time hear and now I am a subscriber. Thank you for this beautiful painting and for saving me because i was very curious about using "black " as an undercoat. This video, your voice is so soothing.

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's great to hear, thank you!

[@baulsmahoney]

Beautiful painting, thanks for sharing

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, Bauls, my pleasure!

[@rjprivate]

Great video, really inspires me to paint. Love the cat👍

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's great, thank you!

[@andywesselsphotographyart]

Enjoyed this video (as always)... I guess you are never too old to learn (a new technique/approach) 😁😁

[@PaintingSkies1]

Good hear you enjoyed it, Andy!

[@mark-dietz]

I have used black acrylic on seascapes before. I draw out far off headlands,near rocks , and dark shadows of waves, as a permanent sketch. I paint the sky right over the headland, and waves and it doesnt cover, it instead mists it out and the land still takes on the color note of the sky. Very effective. I love your work by the way.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Ah, that's something to try out. Doesn't the blue get a little smudgy when you paint it on top of the black acrylics?

[@mark-dietz]

@@PaintingSkies1 I havent used an actual blue, because I tend to lean towards greys in skies and oceans, but I apply the overcoat quite sparingly, by scrubbing it on, looking only to add atmosphere. Keep in mind that this is a back lit painting done in muted orange, intermingled with muted purplish grey, with a soft whitish glow for the sun. Think of 2 headlands for example...I would paint or scrub a very very light coat over one...let it dry...It now looks further away. Then I do another VERY light coat over both headlands. Now the furthest has two coats and the nearer headland only has one. Essentially I achieve different values by adding these tinted washes, or layers. Everything becomes soft and moody. I hope I described that in an understandable way. You should give it a try as an experiment sometime when youre bored. Just paint a scene with all the elements in black. Mountains headlands, large rocks, shadows of waves etc. (silhouettes) Have a wonderful day!

[@PaintingSkies1]

@@mark-dietz Thanks, Mark, for the clear explanation. I'm really tempted to try. I have worked with tonal underpaintings in black before, but not in the way you describe it. Thanks again.

[@mark-dietz]

@@PaintingSkies1 Youre welcome

[@garybeard3727]

I find I have a 'Railing' in every painting I do - It's that hard bit you don't want to paint because you might spoil what you have done so far - Your paint videos are vey inspiring - Thanks for sharing

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Gary! And yes, most of us have a 'Railing' every now and then. I do, at least, but through the years I got more confident and though it goes to far to say I welcome them, I do enjoy the challenge. Every now and then...

[@Diegozermetdiepet]

Prachtig en realistisch wat je maakt JanHendrik. Ik wou dat ik dat kon. Als ik jouw schilderen zie heb ik gelijk geen zin meer om te schilderen. :) Geef je schilder les?

[@PaintingSkies1]

Dat was nou net niet de bedoeling... Nee, ik geef geen les meer, maar op mijn website kun je verschillende lange video's downloaden, waarin ik gedetailleerd laat zien hoe ik te werk ga: www.paintingskies.com/videos. Een flink aantal daarvan zijn ook in het Nederlands. Blijf schilderen!

[@stephenhart4925]

Thank you Jan for sharing 👍 is this surface canvas or wood panel? If wood is it mdf?

[@PaintingSkies1]

I work on 6 mm MDF. I wrote a short article about it on my blog: paintingcloudskies.blogspot.com/2015/01/canvas-or-board.html. Hope this answers your question!

[@PureAeternum]

I noticed that the luquin gives paint more opacity, even the transparent colors.

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's right, it does give the paint more 'body', even with small amounts of paint.

[@willhawney3849]

superb my friend

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, Will!

[@InjiArtistry]

First. :) Thank you for this.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you!