Verdaccio (Michael?)

[Sandy Barnes]

Michael, I read a post written by Renee where she used your Verdaccio underpainting technique. I am curious to try this. Does the mix only consist of chromium oxide green, mars black and (choice of artsist) white? How thickly do you apply it and do you fix it before applying color? I have seen demonstrations where the entire canvas was primed with a version of this mix but then painted alla prima. Also, I have always use Titanium white but am not adverse to trying a leaded paint if I am instructed on handling. How does one paint safely with these?
Thanks for any information.

[Michael Georges]

Hello Sandy:

Verdaccio is an underpainting technique first used in Frescos (Cennini mentions verdaccio in his book), and later by Italian Masters as a method of underpainting in oils - typically of flesh.

I learned this method of underpainting from Frank Covino.

The verdaccio is mixed in nine values from dark to light using Mars Black, Flake (Lead) White, and Chromium Oxide Green. You mix almost equal proportions of MB and COG to create a large pile at value 2. Pulling from that pile, you create your other values. Mix a little more black to create a value 1. For value 3-9, you mix Flake White with the Value 2 lightening at each value step to an almost white.

I use an alkyd medium for my undertones as a drier.

That is where the magic is. What you are seeing in many old master paintings is the gray-green from their verdaccio showing through the skin tones to create very realistic looking skin. They painted it on as an undertone rather than an overtone. You allow the verdaccio underpainting to show through a little in the hollows of the eyes, the shadow of the neck, around the edges of the form, and at the intersection where a highlight meets a shadow. It is the imposition of cool tones next to hotter flesh tones that creates a vibrancy and realism to flesh. It works great!

Here are the values from a scan:
http://www.fineportraitsinoil.com/VerdaccioValues.jpg

And here is an example of a completed verdaccio underpainting:

http://www.fineportraitsinoil.com/Cu...0Verdaccio.jpg

Lead White
Any artist can use lead white safely. You need a lot of exposure to lead before it becomes toxic in your system. Thing is, it is cumulative, so you want to handle the stuff correctly from the get go. Use a little common sense and you will be fine - don't eat, smoke, put brushes in your mouth, etc. Wash your hands after underpainting sessions. Wash your materials, brushes etc well. It does not absorb through the skin very well - the real ways of getting lead into your system are by eating it or breathing dust with lead in it. I buy my Flake White in the tube, so I don't mix my own - no lead dust worries.

I hope that helps!

[Sandy Barnes]

Micheal, Thank you for posting the values, it will be a great help. This I will print for reference. Over the underpainting do you apply only transparent color? Are all of the portraits on your web site painting in this style?

(Beautiful work BTW - very vibrant)

[Michael Georges]

Sandy:

Over a verdaccio or grisaille undertone, you may paint opaquely or glaze. I use glazes only where they are appropriate - darker areas - backgrounds, clothing, hair, etc. Anything that is lighter, I paint opaquely.

All of the works on my site were done using this technique.

[Sandy Barnes]

Thanks Micheal, I can't wait to try it. Now that I have mastered Photoshop I will post my verdaccio underpainting when it's completed.