Marcus Chen
A ground in painting refers to the first layer of paint or other wet medium applied to a surface. It is a foundational element that separates the paint from the support, such as a canvas or panel, and provides a better surface for subsequent layers of paint. The main purposes of a ground are to block chemical interactions between the paint and support, enhance the texture for painting, and highlight the colours. Grounds can be made from various materials, such as gesso, acrylic resin, or oil, and they come in different textures and colours, allowing artists to achieve specific artistic effects and ensure the longevity of their artwork.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To block chemical interactions between the paint and the support, provide a desired texture for painting or drawing, highlight the colours, and create a better base surface for subsequent layers of paint. |
| Materials | Gesso, primer, acrylic polymer binders, oil, linseed oil, titanium or zinc white, glue, acrylic resin, titanium white pigment, Chinese white, clear gesso, acrylic, oil paint, rabbit-skin glue, PVA, animal gelatine, Gamblin Oil Painting Ground, Golden Absorbent Ground, watercolour, pen and ink, encaustic, fresco, secco, egg tempera, and more. |
| Surfaces | Canvas, paper, wood, plaster, metal, panels, fabric, composite boards, hardboard, and more. |
| Benefits | Allows for easier blending of colours, prevents flaking or cracking, provides luminosity and reflectivity, seals and protects the support, strengthens flimsy papers, smooths over imperfections, and more. |
| Techniques | Sizing, priming, using grounds as an undercoat or leaving them visible in the final work, toning the canvas before painting, using absorbent grounds, and more. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Grounds prevent chemical reactions between paint and the support
Grounds, also known as primers, are used in painting to block chemical interactions between the paint and the support. They also provide the desired texture for painting or drawing, highlight colours, and affect the appearance of paint layers.
The ground is the first layer of paint or other wet medium applied to an artwork. It is an undercoat that can be covered entirely by subsequent paint layers or left visible in the final work. Grounds are typically made from white carbonate pigments such as chalk, mixed with animal hide glue. They can also be made from acrylic resin with titanium white pigment, or a clear gesso (acrylic without pigment).
The use of grounds prevents the moisture from the paint from being absorbed immediately, which would otherwise result in paint that is difficult to spread and blend. Grounds also prevent the paint from drying prematurely, allowing it to slowly evaporate dry and retain its natural glossy sheen.
For paintings on panels, gesso is typically used as a ground, while on canvas, the ground can be another paint layer. Grounds are also important for metalpoint drawings, where the surface needs to be abrasive, so a ground of Chinese white is used.
The colour and tone of the ground can affect the chromatic and tonal values of the paint layers applied over it. For example, 19th-century artists, especially the Impressionists, preferred the white ground, while Rembrandt preferred brownish tones and Poussin the red ones.
Should You Paint Caulked Lines?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grounds provide a suitable texture for painting
Grounds are an important consideration in painting, providing a suitable surface for the paint to be applied to and allowing for the desired texture to be achieved.
The ground is the very first layer of paint, or other wet medium, applied to an artwork, also known as the undercoat or background. It can be left visible in the final work or covered entirely by subsequent layers of paint. Grounds are used to seal and protect the support, such as canvas, paper, wood, or panel, from the paint applied on top. This is especially important when using raw materials that are highly absorbent, such as paper, canvas, timber, and fabric. By sealing the surface with a ground, the paint can be prevented from being absorbed immediately, which can make it difficult to spread and blend.
The ground also provides a suitable texture for painting. Grounds can be smooth or textured, depending on the desired effect. For example, a ground can be used to smooth over imperfections in the underlying surface or to create a new texture. A textured ground can be created by applying the ground in a way that leaves drips, streaks, or indentations, which the paint will settle into, creating a textured appearance. This can be seen in Kim Naumann's painting, where washes of blue and brown paint have settled into the creases and indentations of the textured ground, creating a beautiful effect.
The colour of the ground can also be manipulated to achieve a desired effect. Traditionally, grounds were often white, but artists may also tone their canvases before painting by adding colour to the primer or applying a layer of colour over the primer. This can be done to create a particular aesthetic effect, as seen in Jackson Pollock's 1950 painting, "Mural on Indian Red Ground", where the red ground layer is visible throughout the painting, providing thematic consistency for the main colour layer. It can also be done for practical reasons, such as making text less visible, as seen in Alexander Pavely's print, where a white ground layer was used to partially obscure a layer of collaged newspaper, allowing the red buildings to stand out when printed over the top.
The type of ground used will depend on the surface being painted on and the desired effect. For example, traditional gesso grounds, made from white carbonate pigments (such as chalk) mixed with animal hide glue, were commonly used on panels, but can also be used on canvas. However, gesso grounds are brittle and should only be used on rigid supports, not on flexible materials like canvas or paper. Oil-based grounds, on the other hand, are flexible and can be used on canvas, although they require the canvas to be sized first to prevent the oil from rotting the fabric. Acrylic grounds, made from acrylic resin with titanium white pigment, are highly flexible and can be used on a range of supports, including wood, canvas, and paper. They are also quick-drying and can be purchased in a variety of qualities, from transparent to opaque, textured, or fine.
Bidding on Painting Jobs for VA Schools: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grounds enhance the colour of the paint
Grounds are the first layer of paint or other wet medium applied to an artwork. They are used to seal and protect the support underneath, such as a canvas, paper, or wood, from the paint applied above. Grounds are also used to provide a desired texture for painting or drawing.
The colour and tone of the ground can affect the appearance of the paint layers above. For example, a white ground can make colours appear darker due to simultaneous contrast, while a red ground can provide thematic consistency for a layer of drips and splashes. Grounds can also be used to enhance the colour of the paint by creating a coloured ground that complements the paint layer or by using a ground that seals the surface and prevents the paint from being absorbed, allowing the paint to dry richer and more vibrant.
Traditionally, grounds were made from white carbonate pigments such as chalk mixed with animal hide glue. Today, grounds can be made from a variety of materials, including acrylic resin with titanium white pigment, clear gesso (acrylic without pigment), or a mixture of gesso and glue. The type of ground used depends on the surface being painted and the desired effect. For example, a traditional gesso ground applied to a wooden panel can produce an ivory-like surface when sanded and polished, while an oil-based ground made from linseed oil and lead white pigment can create a creamy, slippery finish that allows paint to glide over it.
When choosing a ground, it is important to consider the surface being painted and the type of paint being used. For example, when using acrylic paint on canvas, a primer such as gesso may be necessary to create a surface that the paint can adhere to. With oil paint, a ground can help to prevent the oil from seeping into the support and protect the canvas from rotting. The colour of the ground can also be chosen to complement the colours of the paint layer or to create a desired effect, such as using a black ground to create deep, brooding shadows.
Overall, grounds play an important role in enhancing the colour of paint by providing a sealed, textured, and complementary surface for the paint to be applied to. By choosing the appropriate ground and considering its colour and finish, artists can improve the appearance and longevity of their paintings.
The Magic Paper Behind Diamond Paintings
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grounds are used to seal and protect the support
Grounds are also used to seal the pores of the support, reducing its absorbency. Most papers, canvases, timbers, and fabrics are very porous. If paint is applied directly to these surfaces, the moisture from the paint is absorbed immediately, resulting in paint that is difficult to spread and blend. By sealing the surface with a ground, the paint can sit on top without being absorbed, allowing for easier blending and a richer, more vibrant appearance.
In addition to sealing and protecting the support, grounds can also be used to create a smoother surface by covering imperfections in the underlying layer. Grounds can also be used to add texture to the surface, with some grounds having a tooth-like quality to help the paint adhere better. Grounds can be applied in multiple layers to achieve the desired texture and finish.
The colour of the ground can also be varied to suit the artist's preferences and the desired effect. While white is the most common colour for grounds, artists may prefer to tone their canvases with a different colour before painting. Coloured grounds can be created by adding colour to the primer or applying a layer of colour over the priming. The colour of the ground can affect the appearance of the paint layers applied on top, with the ground colour showing through and influencing the final work.
Overall, grounds are an important step in preparing a surface for painting, providing a sealed and protected foundation that enhances the painting process and the final appearance of the artwork.
Space Debris: Paint Chips Can Damage Spacecraft
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grounds can be used to smooth over imperfections
Grounds are used in painting to seal and protect the support (such as canvas, paper, or wood) from the paint. They also provide a better surface for subsequent layers of paint, allowing for easier blending and richer, more vibrant colours.
Grounds can also be used to fill in the pores of a canvas, isolating it from the paint. For example, a canvas should be sized (usually with rabbit-skin glue) before applying a ground, to prevent the oil in the paint from rotting the fabric.
Grounds can also be used to even out the absorbency of wood, preventing moisture from drawing up colour, acids, glues, etc. from the wood into the paint.
The use of grounds allows artists to paint on a greater range of surfaces. For example, many shiny materials, particularly composite boards (such as hardboard, which contains oil) repel acrylic paint. A professional primer such as gesso can be used to create a ground that is perfect for painting upon.
The use of grounds also allows for different textures to be created. For example, traditional encaustic painting utilises a special ground of beeswax or a wax and damar resin mix over an absorbent substrate.
Mandala Stone Painting: Should You Paint Both Sides?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A ground is the first layer of paint or other wet medium applied to an artwork. It is used to seal and protect the support (e.g. canvas, paper, or wood) from the paint, prevent chemical reactions between the paint and support, and provide a better surface for subsequent layers of paint.
Using a ground can make blending colours easier, create a desired texture for the painting, and help the paint appear richer and more vibrant. Grounds can also be used to smooth over imperfections in the underlying surface or strengthen flimsy papers.
Traditional grounds include gesso, which is made from white carbonate pigments (such as chalk) mixed with animal hide glue, and oil-based grounds made from linseed oil and lead white pigment. Other examples include acrylic grounds, which are highly flexible and can be used on a range of supports, and clear acrylic gesso, which can be used to preserve the natural look of a canvas.
