In art, an underpainting is an initial layer of paint applied to a ground, which serves as a base for subsequent layers of paint.
Underpaintings are often monochromatic and help to define color values for later painting.
There are several different types of underpainting, such as veneda, verdaccio, morellone, imprimatura and grisaille.
The neutral colours of the underpaint will not distract if they are not completely covered.
[3] A multi-color underpainting can also add to a work and was used by artists such as Giotto (whose technique is described in detail by Cennino Cennini), as well as by Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden (whose technique has been studied with modern scientific analysis).