Underpainting to Realism | Daisy Daydream Oil Painting Tutorial

Building the Foundation

Every painting begins with structure. I started with a thin raw umber wash, using a sponge to tone the surface and a soft brush to map out the main forms. From there, I lifted the lights with a typist’s eraser, shaping the composition entirely in tone before any colour touched the canvas.

An underpainting is beautiful even without the colour added.

Layering the Colour

Once the underpainting dried, I began layering in colour — always working from dark to light, thin to thick. Transparent glazes brought warmth and life to the skin tones, while cooler greys and muted greens helped create a sense of balance and realism.

Refining the Details

This is the part where everything slows down. I focused on the tiny variations in temperature and tone — glazing over shadows, softening edges, and adding those final highlights that make the skin glow and the light feel real.

The finished painting - SOLD

Watch the Full Tutorial

You can watch the full Daisy Daydream oil painting tutorial on my YouTube channel, where I walk through every step — from underpainting to glazing — in real time.