Imprimatura

The imprimatura is a thin, transparent layer of paint—usually a warm, earthy color like raw umber—that artists apply to a white canvas or panel at the beginning of a painting.

Its purpose is to:

• Tone down the white of the canvas, which can be too bright and distracting

• Unify the colors in the painting

• Help judge values (lights and darks) more accurately

It’s like giving the canvas a warm “base coat” before building up the painting in layers.