Juana Cañas combines her own style of
painting with the technique of Grisalla y Veladuras, or Grisaille
and Glaze Underpainting, used methodically by the Flemish Masters, especially
Van Eyck. The technique quickly caught on throughout Europe and later evolved
as Rembrandt and Titian began to use it more spontaneously.
In grisaille underpainting the artist first of all applies a monochrome base,
which is usually white. This acts as a reflective layer, allowing the artist
to tone down the light reflected back by using translucent oil colours.
The painter thus has great control over shadows and texture.
These subsequent layers of translucent paint are the veladuras,
or glazes, and the artist allows each one to dry before applying the next
one on top.
Despite its well defined origins the technique of Grisaille and Glaze
Underpainting can be used in many different ways. But in every case
the artist, as well as having talent, must fully understand how colour
combinations bring about different tones and textures.
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