Grisaille technique is a kind of painting. Grisaille in painting: description and features

Fans of painting and painting lessons are probably familiar with such a concept as grisaille. This is one of the most famous techniques, allowing artists as much as possible to capture sculptural and architectural elements. More about this art form we will tell further.

General information about the concept

Grisaille is a kind of painting that is traditionally performed using the same color with its tonal variations. Initially, this technique was conceived as a tool that allows detailed display of relief figures. Later it was 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 premises. For example, paintings depicting different objects of decor, created with the use of this style, have become an integral part of any interior.

What is the technique like?

Using this technique, the artists tried to accurately transfer to paper three-dimensional images. 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 you compare such paintings with modern trends in painting, then they clearly have much in common with drawings in the style of 3D.

Where was used before?

After some time, the grisail technique began to be used in the so-called easel painting. But even here, this art form was forced to perform only a secondary role. In most cases, it was used as an auxiliary tool. For example, it created various sketches, layouts, and even scaled buildings and structures.

And only after many years it was decided to separate the grisaille from easel painting, to transfer it to a separate group of fine arts. During the glorious Baroque period, grisaille (drawing technique) played an important role in the creation of various architectural bas-reliefs. For example, certain elements of this unusual technique fell on the ceilings and walls of the Hermitage. They are also on the wall of the Jordanian staircase. Actual elements of the grisaille technique were used in the manufacture of human sculptures under the arches, during the creation of the effect of the carved wall and the atrium.

Examples of techniques in painting

One of the bright examples of paintings created in this technique is the canvas "The Preacher of John the Baptist", once written by Rembrandt. Now it is in the Berlin State Museum. Used grisaille in painting by the famous Spanish artist and sculptor Pablo Picasso. For example, he used this technique 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 Exhibition. The canvas is made in black and white with the use of elements of cubism. It depicts one of the most sad events that occurred during the civil war in Spain - the bombing of the city.

Known color variations

Typically, grisaille is just one or two colors, most often a white-brown or black-and-white shade. Earlier, as a variant of the palette of this art, the so-called sepia was used. It was a special coloring substance that could be obtained by applying an ink bag of sea cuttlefish.

Sepia was interested mainly in artists until the 18th century. Over time, the palette became dominated by reddish tones. Modern masters use any color and shade, able to convey the original author's idea of the artist. For example, it can be work using a lilac, gray or brown color. In addition, during the application of grisaille technique it is allowed to use special artistic whitewashes.

Why is it so important to master this technique?

Since grisaille is a painting based on the transmission of a tone with the help of shadow, light and color, it is recommended that it be thoroughly studied by novice artists. As the experienced painters say, it is not difficult to determine the palette of objects. 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 right tonal scale. And this is done when using a special tonal scale, consisting of approximately 5, 7 or 9 halftones. All this can be learned by learning how to draw in the style of grisaille. And only after studying this technique should we go to the application of multicolor watercolor.

Drawing (grisaille): varieties

This type of technology can be conditionally divided into two types: artistic and educational. In particular, the first allows you to create incredible volumetric pictures with the help of multi-colored inks. But the second option is carried out either with a thick pencil or a charcoal. By the way, the teaching technique is used to create the basic sketches, which over time are painted with different color shades.

It is believed that with the help of grisaille it is possible to break a conditional form (on paper) into several types of surfaces. This can be a side, top, crop and frontal image. At the same time, some masters prefer to make grisaille watercolors ( monochrome ) during the training sessions of novice artists . Others, in addition to it, try to use acrylic, oil or tempera. It is also recommended to use ink, a liquid solution of carcass or sepia.

The ideal option in this case will be the use of three tones of colors, which are selected according to their color intensity or saturation. And the first of them, as a rule, is used for the conventional designation of shadows emanating from objects, the next one - for the purpose of halftone lighting, and the latter for displaying bright glare and light areas of the depicted objects.

How does learning begin?

Teaching Grisaille technique begins with traditional and simple still-life productions. It is noteworthy that when composing them, it is best to use the most common models and objects. For example, it can be fruit plates, flower vases or any objects from household utensils. And only then you can move on to more complex elements, for example, to the figures of people.

How it works?

Drawing in the grisaille style is performed as follows:

1. A sketch is made in pencil.
2. Apply a light coat of paint - just a few strokes, excluding the bright places of objects.
3. The work dries.
4. As he dries up, the student must find the shadows in the figure. He paints them on a darker tone.
5. After drying, places with semitones are indicated.
6. In the final stage, the most illuminated places and highlights are highlighted in a light tone.

It is believed that after several such studies, students develop a sense of consistency in their work. In a word, grisaille is considered the first step on the greatest ladder of modern painting.