MITRA Forum Question Details

The term imprimatura was originally used to describe a pigmented layer of paint containing a drying oil that was applied over a true gesso or chalk-glue ground (usually over the ground and underdrawing). It served up to three purposes. 1st and foremost, it cut the absorbency of the ground to facilitate the application of oil paint. 2nd It could lock in or partially obscure the underdrawing. 3rd It could provide an overall color to the painting, which could be exploited by the artist (there are many examples of off-white or pale gray imprimatua). There are certainly instances of clear oil or other materials used to cut absorbency or to provide color and the use of the term appears to have morphed a bit.

Today most people appear to use the term to describe a thin transparent wash of oil color to provide a mid-valued surface (this is very often a dull ochre, a rich burnt sienna, or raw umber like color) irrespective of any underdrawing or the need to reduce absorbency. I prefer the earlier definition of the term but like the in the case of the misuse of the word “gesso,” there is only so much that I can do ;)