What does it mean to tone a canvas?
Toning a canvas means covering the white primed surface with a thin layer of color before you begin painting. The result is a ground that is usually a mid-tone rather than bright white. In older texts you will see the terms toned ground, colored ground or imprimatura. The details differ between teachers, but the basic purpose is the same.
It is an early step in the oil painting method, done after the surface is primed and before you draw.
Why tone a canvas?
- It makes values easier to judge. Against white, almost every mark looks dark. On a mid-tone, you can compare lights and darks more truthfully. See value in oil painting.
- It removes the intimidation of a blank white surface. Many beginners find it easier to start on a surface that is already covered.
- It can unify the painting. If bits of the ground show between strokes, they tie the colors together.
- It sets a mood or temperature. A warm ground can warm the overall picture, while a cooler one can calm it. It can also complement the dominant colors above it.
- It saves coverage. You do not have to chase small white gaps in the weave.
What color to use
Many painters choose a neutral or earth color, such as a warm gray or a diluted brown. Common choices include burnt sienna, raw umber, yellow ochre and other earth colors, thinned very lightly. Some use a color chosen to contrast with the planned picture, for example a warm ground under a landscape that is mostly green, so small gaps show through as a complement.
There is no single correct color. Think about:
- The dominant colors you plan to paint.
- Whether you want an overall warm or cool feeling.
- A value in the middle range, which helps with judging light and dark.
What to tone with
You have two main options.
Thinned oil paint
A transparent or semi-transparent earth color thinned with odorless mineral spirits or a similar solvent, then rubbed on and wiped back. The tone dries more slowly, usually a day or more depending on the paint and thickness, but it lets you work straight into it and it is consistent with the rest of your oil painting.
Acrylic
Some painters tone with a diluted acrylic paint or a tinted acrylic gesso because it dries quickly, often within minutes to an hour, so you can start painting the same day. Oil can be painted over dry acrylic, but not the reverse. Make sure the acrylic layer is fully dry and that the surface is not too slick for the oil to grip. Check what the paint maker recommends.
Whichever you choose, keep the layer thin. A thick, fat layer of oil under later layers can conflict with the fat over lean principle and may cause problems as the painting ages.
How to tone a canvas step by step
- Choose the surface. Use a primed canvas or panel suitable for oil.
- Prepare the color. Squeeze a small amount of your chosen color, such as burnt sienna or raw umber, and thin it with a little solvent until it is fluid. Add a small amount of white if you want a lighter or less saturated tone.
- Apply a thin layer. Use a large flat brush or a rag and spread the paint across the whole surface in an even coat.
- Wipe back. Use a clean, lint-free rag or a paper towel to wipe away the excess until you have a thin, even film. The surface should look stained rather than painted.
- Check the value. Aim for a middle value. You can add more if too light or wipe more if too dark.
- Let it dry. Oil toning needs to be at least touch-dry or tacky enough that it is not lifting, as advised by the manufacturer. Acrylic toning can be ready much sooner.
- Draw and begin. Sketch with thinned paint, as discussed in the method overview, or with charcoal.
Painting on the toned ground
On a mid-tone, you can establish darks and lights from the middle outward. The ground itself works as your mid-value in places. This pairs well with a simple monochrome underpainting.
If you plan a landscape or portrait with big areas of background, letting a little of the ground show through can give a natural harmony, particularly if the ground is related to the overall color scheme described in oil painting color theory.
Common mistakes
- Making the tone too dark, which can make it hard to see your drawing and judge lights.
- Applying it too thick, leaving a sticky layer that stays wet for days.
- Using an uneven wash with streaks you did not intend. Wipe consistently.
- Starting before it is dry enough and lifting the toning into your new paint.
- Using a color that fights the subject, such as a strongly saturated ground that muddies the mixtures.
Safety notes
Solvents produce fumes, so ventilate your workspace, keep containers closed, and dispose of used rags carefully. Rags with drying oils can heat up and have caused fires, so lay them flat to dry or store them in a sealed metal container. Follow local rules for solvent disposal.
Frequently asked questions
Do you use water while oil painting?
Not with traditional oils. They are thinned with solvents or oils. Water-mixable oil paints are a separate type designed to be thinned and cleaned with water.
What is the 80/20 rule in painting?
It is not a formal rule. It is commonly used to suggest that most of a picture should be quiet or supportive, with a smaller part carrying the main interest. See the composition guide.
How can I protect my canvas painting?
Let the painting dry thoroughly, then consider a removable varnish following the manufacturer’s directions, keep it out of direct sunlight and damp, and avoid cleaning it with household products. Ask a professional conservator about cleaning old paintings.
What do conservators use to clean oil paintings?
Professional conservators use specific tested methods and solvents chosen for each painting. This is not something to attempt at home on valuable or old works.