I can’t share this tip enough cuz it’s been a total game changer for me! More info in the caption 👇

🔗 in bio for clear gesso recommendation.

I was taught to do underdrawing in charcoal before oil painting on top but have always been annoyed at how it will bleed into the first layers of paint & muddy the lighter colours - especially white.

So lately I’ve been doing my underdrawing in pencil instead of charcoal. Then applying a little spray fixative over the drawing (make sure u have ventilation). Then finally applying a layer of clear gesso over top to seal it in. You could add a couple of layers & sand them if you prefer a smoother surface.

I will say the downside is that although gesso feels dry very quickly it actually takes about 2 weeks to a month to fully cure. This doesn’t matter with acrylics or if you apply multiple layers of gesso but to apply oil paints on top it’s recommended to wait the full cure-time. I have to admit on a tight deadline I go back to using charcoal so I can paint right away. But whenever I do have the time to leave it to dry for a couple of weeks I do cuz it’s so much better!!!