How to use Vanilla Undercover swatches:

First, understand that with underpainting, we always color dark to light. This method does not work light to dark.

Start with the underpaint color, it’s the top number listed and it will be an unusual color which probably contrasts with the other colors in the blend. Lightly add the underpaint color to the areas of your object which sit in the deepest areas of shade. Then use the darkest of the blending combination over the top of the underpaint. The blending combination should completely hide the underpaint color. Continue filling the space, working through the remaining markers using lighter and lighter colors to blend and smooth the darker zones.

Does the underpaint color “match” the other colors? NO! That’s the point. When we underpaint, we LAYER colors rather than BLEND colors. The fact that underpainting is blue, gray, violet, or even hot pink is essential. Underpainting colors are chosen not for the color they are, but for the color they make.

Does your underpainted color look a little dingy or dirty? Then you’ve done it correctly! Real shade is not bright and vibrant. For accurate shade, you need this weird muddy color. Mud is essential to realistic depth!

Want to learn more about underpainting? Check out these great articles & online classes:

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Vanilla Color Palettes for Copic + Colored Pencil