Key to Luminous Paintings
Masterclass-style mini-course: Learn about painting in layers, including video lessons of a full underpainting
You know, I started painting in the same way most everyone does. Paint, put on a brush, applied to pure white canvas. Right?
But what if I told you there's a different way?
A classic way, and for me, a better way.
If you follow me on social media, you know I now begin all my paintings with an Imprimatura Bistre underpainting, the important first layer of paint. I believe beginning this way is key to creating luminous paintings.
But there are more benefits:
- It gives you a more neutral background (vs stark white)
- It's a harmonizing element
- And MOST importantly, it helps you see in values and tones (so you can work out any issues) before you move to color
In this masterclass, we'll explore the foundational elements for painting in layers and creating luminosity (often not taught in art school).
Following that, I'll share lessons on applying the Imprimatura Bistre technique to help you jump-start your own paintings.
Here's how the course is structured:
- Key to Luminous Paintings 2.0: foundational concepts
- Preparing to paint: the Imprimatura mixture
- The first layer: Imprimatura & Bistre
- Finishing the underpainting
Here's what you'll get when you enroll:
- Full length underpainting video lessons & demonstrations
- Printable companion ebook, including supply list
- Printable Q&A
- Bonus demo videos
- Closed Captioning in English
I invite you to join me for this Imprimatura Masterclass. This is just the beginning!
"I took your imprimatura class... It was very informative and well done. So many artist videos are full of unuseful yackety yak! I like how you get to the point and stay on point. I have learned a lot from watching your videos.
–Vickie
"I just watched your imprimatura masterclass... and I LOVED IT!! I took lots of notes and can’t wait to use what you showed me in my new painting." :-)
–Brendan
"I learned this subtractive technique from @laynejohnsonstudio a couple years ago. It's been a really helpful tool for me to get some good basic values blocked in before thinking about color."
–Amy
"Long time ago, when I was in school I had seen in an Art magazine a step-by-step photos of an artist painting, and he had painted the first layer red. Since then whenever I painted canvases on my own, I painted it with burnt sienna first, without knowing why. But today’s masterclass made sense of everything. Thank you so so much, your voice and your smile added so much to the video. Once again, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us."
–Shreya
"Loving the masterclass! It's so nice to hear your voice, and see the artist behind the amazing work! There is always something to learn. So glad it's finally avilable. It's wonderful."
–Angie
"I enjoyed the masterclass very much. I have never painted with oil and am learning all I can before the jump. I have always used acrylic, watercolor and colored pencil."
–Rose
"I just wanted to say that this masterclass was awesome."
–Chantal
"That was a perfect class, I truly enjoyed. Thank you so much." :-)
–Zahra
Your Instructor
Hey there! I'm Layne Johnson. If you follow me on social media, you know I'm inspired by big, beautiful Texas landscapes and dramatic skies.
When I'm not in the studio painting, you can find me chasing clouds with my camera, out in the garden with the chickens or building some cool artsy outdoor stuff.
Thanks again for being here, I appreciate you!