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Michelle
How to add Vibrancy to your Paintings
Adding a Ground Colour
One technique I love using is adding a ground colour to my canvas. This method not only helps eliminate the stark whiteness of the canvas or board but also adds a unique vibrancy to my work. By choosing a ground colour, I set a tonal base that can peek through the layers of paint, adding depth and warmth to the final piece.
Why Use a Ground Colour?
The blank, white surface can often be intimidating and can influence how we perceive colours. Starting with a ground colour can soften this impact. It gives the artwork an immediate sense of mood and direction, helping to balance and harmonise the final colours.
Choosing the Right Ground Colour
I like to use vibrant ground colours because they bring an energy and life to the painting that might not be achieved otherwise. The key is to choose a colour that complements the main palette of your artwork. For example, a warm, earthy red can create a cozy, inviting feel, while a bright blue might suggest coolness and depth.
Complementary colours are also another way to do this. So for example if you have a painting that is largely yellow you could add it’s complementary colour violet (as shown in the image below)
Here is another example where I’ve added a warm earth red/orange to create warmth amongst all the green.
You will notice pops of magenta, largely in her hair, again this helps to balance not only her shirt but all the greens in the painting.
Applying the Ground Colour
When I apply the ground colour, I usually cover the entire canvas. I don’t worry about making it perfect; in fact, some variation can add interest. The goal is to establish a base that will subtly influence the tones of the overlying paint layers.
You will see in this piece I added yellow and then did a quick value study using a greyed violet.
Letting the Ground Colour Shine Through
One of the joys of using a ground colour is seeing how it interacts with the layers on top. I often let small areas of the ground colour remain visible, creating pops of unexpected colour that add intrigue. These glimpses can bring a painting to life, adding dimension and a touch of spontaneity.
Using a ground colour is a simple yet powerful way to enrich your paintings. It helps to break away from the stark white of the canvas, allowing your chosen colours to stand out more vividly. Whether you opt for a vibrant hue or a more subdued tone, this technique can transform the way you approach your artwork. So next time you start a painting, consider laying down a ground colour first—it might just be the spark your work needs!
Will you give this a try? Or do you already do this. Let me know in the comments below.
Inside Vibrant Visions we go through all of this step-by-step it’s honestly a game-changer!
33 thoughts on “How to add Vibrancy to your Paintings”
Hi Michelle
Few days ago I covered a canvas in an earthy tone for a mountain and valley landscape I want to paint . it’s my first time with this technique so I look forward to it and this tip is coming just at the right moment.thanks
Brilliant, glad you found this helpful.
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Thanks!
Hi,
I like the idea of starting a painting by painting a bright, vibrant base. I started one painting (bright orange base and violet irises), but I’m putting it aside for now until I’ve mastered this method better.
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing what you create.
This is great. I have just started doing a base colour (have only just returned to painting anyway), but inclined to to cover it up, so looking forward to giving this a go.
I’m glad you found this helpful : )
Hi Michael
Thank you do much for your posts, great advice and information. These have been a very recent find, I’m delighted with what I have seen and read and looking forward to your future posts.
I have tried some of the methods you suggested, but I really need to ‘show up more’ and become confident enough to show and hopefully eventually sell some of my work.
Thank you Maria. I’m pleased you are finding it all helpful. Yes we do need to make more time for our art, it makes such a big difference when we show up more. Happy painting.
I love this idea and am quite excited to give it a go. I am brand new to acrylics.
Amazing Patty. It’s a lovely medium and adding a ground colour is really helpful.
Thanks for this advice .I’m a biginner and till now I
I do cover the white canvas but with plain black or creamy white. I will surely try different colours.
Thankyou.
You’re welcome. Yes it’s good to try different ground colours.
Good morning, I am excited to do your Wildflower course that is starting today for 10 days. I really enjoy you free painting lessons and explanations of color and form. Glad to be a part of your group.
Thank you ,
Anne
Thank you Anne. I don’t actually have this course so I’m not sure if you are refering to someone else. Either way enjoy.
I currently use a cad red or sometimes a sage green mixed with several deeper tones and put in my general outline with a hookers green – mist of this is later covered up but the tiny pops of colour that occur I love
Amazing, thanks for sharing. It’s so wonderful to get rid of the white!
Hello Michelle
I have just started adding ground colour to my paintings following your advice. I’m really enjoying being faster at painting too.
Amazing Jo. Glad it’s helping : )
I have never tried a back color, but now i gonna try it!
Amazing. Let me know how you get on.
Hi Michelle, I am not a professional painter but I have the passion for painting. I have learnt on my own through YouTube videos n posts like yours. Honestly I cannot afford a paid course. So if you have any free online ateliers, I would love to join. Warm regards, Afsha
Hi Afsha, please keep an eye on your emails I’m always offering tips and the odd free workshop here and there. Thanks again.
I am a beginner in acrylics . What are the ground colours ?
It’s where you coat the surface in one colour before you begin painting : )
Always think the white canvas is too harsh, this sounds like a good way to build up the work.
Yes it can be and so to get rid of it early really helps.
I am a beginner in acrylic/oil (used to watercolours) and did not know about a ground colour. Thanks for the tip!
You are very welcome.
When I’m starting a new oil painting I use black liquid to cover the canvas, neve thought about using various colours?.
I would certainly explore other colours and allow them to shine through, this is something I often do and it adds more interest to the painting. Let me know how you get on.
I always cover my canvas with a neutral ground colour, f.i. Ombre naturel . Especially when I intend to paint a sea landscape.
Perhaps a kind of yellow ochre could also be interesting 🫢
Yes great idea. It’s always good to experiment with different colours.