Article · OutdoorPainter
Tutorial: Don't Underestimate the Underpainting
By Richard McKinley
- Type
- Article
- Level
- Intermediate
- Price
- Free
- Published
- 2026
About this lesson
A pastel landscape built over a loose, wet watercolor underpainting. McKinley starts with three thumbnails (a line drawing, a black-marker notan and a gesture study), lays in value and temperature with free watercolor, then builds pastel across the whole surface from dark to light, thin to thick, dull to bright and soft to sharp.
Related lessons

Mixed Media Landscape | How I layer to create vibrant colour, texture & detail
Free
Video · 19 min
Natasha Newton

Watercolor with Bob — Full Free Course (Start Here)
Free
Video series · 34 lessons
Watercolor with Bob

Pastel Lessons
Free
Video series · 58 lessons
Drawing & Painting - The Virtual Instructor

Plein-Air Painting Tip: Grouping Tonal Values
Free
Video · 15 min
James Gurney

The Secret to Loose and Lively Meadows in Watercolour
Free
Video · 6 min
Guy Troughton - Artist

Beginner watercolor painting course
Free
Video series · 54 lessons
Joe Cartwright