Fans of painting and drawing lessons are probably familiar with the concept of grisaille. This is one of the most famous techniques that allows artists to capture sculptural and architectural elements as detailed as possible. We will tell more about this art form later.
Concept Overview
Grisaille is a type of painting that is traditionally performed using the same color with its tone variations. Initially, this technique was conceived as a kind of tool that allows you to display relief figures in detail. Later it began to be used as a visual image of modern decor in the interior. In particular, it was indispensable for designers, as it helped to make the proposed layouts voluminous and realistic. Even later, the grisaille technique began to be used in the design of rooms. For example, paintings depicting various decor items created using this style have become an integral part of any interior.
What does the technique look like?
Using this technique, artists tried to transfer volumetric images onto paper as accurately as possible. Therefore, the pictures were very realistic. According to experts, all the details were so clearly conveyed that it was almost impossible to distinguish them from real sculptures and relief figures. If we compare such paintings with modern trends in painting, they clearly have much in common with 3D-style drawings.
Where was used before?
After some time, the grisaille technique began to be used in the so-called easel painting. But here, this type of art was forced to fulfill only a secondary role. In most cases, it was used as an auxiliary tool. For example, with its help various sketches, layouts were created and even the scaling of buildings and structures was done.
And only after many years, it was decided to separate the grisaille from easel painting, to transfer it to a separate group of fine art. During the glorious Baroque era, grisaille (drawing technique) played an important role in creating various architectural bas-reliefs. For example, some elements of this unusual technique fell on the ceilings and walls of the Hermitage. There are also on the wall of the Jordan stairs. Actual elements of the grisaille technique were used in the manufacture of human statues under the arches, during the creation of the effect of a carved wall and atrium.
Examples of techniques in painting
One of the striking examples of paintings created in this technique is the painting "The Sermon of John the Baptist", once written by Rembrandt. Now it is in the Berlin State Museum. Grisaille used in painting the famous Spanish artist and sculptor Pablo Picasso. For example, it was this technique that he applied in his “Guernica”.
Recall that this picture was created by the author on a personal order of representatives of the authorities of the Spanish Republic. It was first presented at the Paris World's Fair. The canvas is made in black and white using elements of cubism. It captures one of the saddest events that occurred during the Spanish Civil War - the bombing of the city.
Famous color variations
As a rule, grisaille is just one or two colors, most often white-brown or black and white. Even earlier, as an option for the palette of this art form, the so-called sepia was used. It was a special coloring matter that could be obtained using an ink bag of sea cuttlefish.
Sepia interested artists mainly until the 18th century. Over time, reddish tones began to prevail in the palette. Modern masters use any color and shade that can convey the original author’s idea of the artist. For example, it can be work using lilac, gray or brown. In addition, during the application of the grisaille technique, it is allowed to use special artistic whitewash.
Why is it so important to master this technique?
Since grisaille is a painting based on the transmission of tone with the help of shadow, light and color, it is recommended to study it thoroughly for beginner artists. As experienced painters say, defining a palette of objects is easy. But clearly see how one object is lighter or darker than another - this is real art.
In addition, the use of this amazing technique makes it possible to build the correct tonal scale. And this is done when using a special tonal scale, consisting of approximately 5, 7 or 9 semitones. All this can be mastered by learning to draw in the style of grisaille. And only after studying this technique it is worth moving on to the use of multicolor watercolors.
Drawing (grisaille): varieties
This type of technology can conditionally be divided into two varieties: artistic and educational. In particular, the first allows you to create incredible three-dimensional paintings using multi-colored paints. But the second option is done either in bold pencil or charcoal. By the way, the educational technique is used to create basic sketches on which various color shades are applied over time.
It is believed that with the help of grisaille it is possible to break a conventional shape (on paper) into several types of surfaces at once. This can be a side, top, crop and front image. At the same time, some masters during the training sessions of novice artists prefer to make grisaille with watercolors ( one-color ). Others, besides her, try to use acrylic, oil or tempera. It is also recommended to use ink, liquid carcass or sepia.
An ideal option in this case would be the use of three tones of paints, which are selected according to their color intensity or saturation. Moreover, the first of them, as a rule, is used in the designation of shadows emanating from objects, the next - for the purpose of illuminating halftones, and the last - to display bright highlights and bright areas of the depicted objects.
Where does the training begin?
Learning to start grisaille technique is worth starting with traditional and simple still-life productions. It is noteworthy that when compiling them, it is best to use the most ordinary models and objects. For example, it can be fruit plates, flower vases or any objects from household utensils. And only then can we move on to more complex elements, such as figures of people.
How it works?
Grisaille style drawing is done as follows:
- A pencil sketch is made.
- A light coat of paint is applied - just a few strokes, excluding the bright spots of objects.
- The work is drying.
- As it dries, the student should find shadows in the drawing. He paints them a tone darker.
- After drying, places with halftones are indicated.
- In the final stage, the most illuminated places and highlights are highlighted in a light tone.
It is believed that after several such classes, students develop a sense of consistency in work. In short, grisaille is considered the first step on the greatest staircase of modern painting.