underpainting

[ uhn-der-peyn-ting ]
/ ˈʌn dərˌpeɪn tɪŋ /

noun

the first coat of paint, especially the initial painting on a canvas in which the major areas, tones, colors, and forms are indicated in mass.

Origin of underpainting

First recorded in 1865–70; under- + painting

British Dictionary definitions for underpainting

underpainting
/ (ˈʌndəˌpeɪntɪŋ) /

noun

the first layer in a painting, indicating the design and main areas of light and shade