Have you ever tried painting on a pure red ground? It sounds crazy, doesn’t it? I decided to give it a try one warm summer day after becoming frustrated with the monotonous greens and blues of our central South Carolina landscape. Since red is the complement (opposite on the color wheel) of green, it made sense to start with a red ground to give some color contrast. Red is also a middle value (halfway between light and dark), so it provides a reference point to judge the lights and darks in the composition.
To prepare the canvas or board, I combine one part Golden Fluid Acrylic Pyrolle Red with two parts Liquitex clear gesso and apply with a 6” paint roller. The clear gesso has a slightly rough texture that makes a good painting surface.
Here are details from this painting of a local landmark, the Gervais Street Bridge, Same Bridge, Different Day, showing how bits of red are left showing through the surface to add some spice to the painting.
Have you tried painting on a red ground? Do you use a different favorite color as a ground? If so, why did you choose that color? Please post your experiences in the comments.
Sue
8 Mar 2011Hi Lucinda, I paint on a red ground real often. I love the effect and as you said it really makes all the greens and blues more tolerable. I like Cad. red and napth. Try a purple-red sometime. The only drawback for me is the area I live in (SW Va.) the people here are not into contemporary. I guess that’s the way to express it. I do it anyway. Happy painting. Sue
Sue
8 Mar 2011Forgot to say “I love your work”
lucindahowe
8 Mar 2011Thanks for you comments, Sue. Certainly any of those reds will work. Keep on doing it your own way and encourage others to join you.
laura DeBona
8 Mar 2011My ex husband taught me to paint on a red ground. He studied the classic style of old world painting. I love painting on a red ground, I feel like i “get” something to work off of immediatly, as , like you said, a vibration is instantly set up.
Your work is great! I am really impressed!
lucindahowe
9 Mar 2011Hi, Laura. Thanks for your comments. It’s definitely fun to work with the red ground. The earth reds of the old masters are good for the more traditional painting styles and the pure reds are more contemporary.