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countable and uncountable, plural underpaintings
(art) An initial layer of paint, often monochromatic, applied to a ground as a base for subsequent layers. quotations examples
He would start with a stenciled acrylic underpainting and finish by making marks with the chalk and charcoal shells.
2007 May 13, Carol Kino, “Something There Is That Loves a Wall”, in New York Times
(art) A painting that the artist later painted over to create the final work. quotations examples
At first they wouldn't believe him, but he gave them proof. X-ray the Adulteress, he told them, and you will find an underpainting. They did and found the underpainting van Meegeren had described.
2012, Leo Katz, Bad Acts and Guilty Minds: Conundrums of the Criminal Law
present participle and gerund of underpaint examples