underpainting

[ uhn-der-peyn-ting ]

noun

1. the first coat of paint, especially the initial painting painting on a canvas in which the major areas, tones, colors, and forms are indicated in mass.

underpainting

/ ˈʌndəˌpeɪntɪŋ /

noun

1. the first layer in a painting, indicating the design and main areas of light and shade

Word History and Origins

Origin of underpainting¹

First recorded in 1865–70; under- + painting