Texas artist, Lynn Burton, often uses a monochromatic painting as an under painting when painting a picture. He prefers the earth pigments using only white, black, and one color. “It helps work out the contrast, the darks and lights,” he says. “I can always add the color later,” he continues, as if he thinks everyone is an artist, and understands exactly what he means. They don’t, but somehow gets the gist.

The technique has been used by many artists from the beginning of time. Every artist has their own technique, but any method of study that helps define the contrast and value before applying the various pigments to a painting is helpful.

Lynn’s brother, Ohio artist, Richard Burton , uses a different technique. He goes to the painstaking effort of drawing with pencil (actual size – and in great detail) the picture he intends to paint. He claims that while he draws he sees in his mind’s eye every color and stroke of the brush as he does this. “It helps work out the mistakes I would make,” he says. Richard mostly paints with water color on paper and doesn’t have the benefit of using a monochromatic under painting.

“Every artist knows there’s not a lot of room for error when dealing with water colors,” he continues.  One of his more recent paintings was a 24″X36″ painting, and sure enough, he drew it full size.

He feels that in its own way the black and white of the pencil and the paper, and the many light and dark shades in between will works out the value and contrast of the painting. “Mostly,” he says nonchalantly, “any way you can do a study of the work before applying the final touches to it is a benefit.”

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