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Grisaille:  In the classical method grisaille is an underpainting executed in gray  it is also called the dead layer. The grisaille is then followed with layers of glazing and opaque color.
 

I decided to begin this painting, White Rose Spiral, with a grisaille underpainting....

White Rose Spiral 36x36

In my larger rose paintings I have found that achieving accurate values and even tonal gradations has been an ongoing issue. I am hoping that I can (ahem,) nip that problem in the bud by painting in the correct values and blending tones with the grisaille - before I complicate everything with color. A lovely side effect of painting en grisaille is that the grays underneath the glazing and color result in some gorgeous color subtleties.

 Here are some stages of the grisaille underpainting: