Ground

Description

A foundation layer used to prepare a support material for the application of media. Grounds provide a smooth, uniform, and nonporous surface. They can also act as a separating and stabilizing layer to minimize environmental distortions or support deterioration due to reactions with the paint.

For artist paintings, grounds typically fall into these categories.

• Gesso or chalk - a Glue binder mixed with Gypsum or Chalk
• Emulsion -a glue medium emulsified with some oil, egg, or natural resin
• Oil ground- a drying oil, such as Linseed oil, with Lead white or other white pigment
• Synthetic - acrylic or alkyd based primer introduced in the late 20th century

For gilding, Bole is used as a colored ground or priming layer. Bole is typically composed of a red or brown clay. Colored grounds have also been used for Metal point drawings and paintings made with Gouache, Pastel, Charcoal, and Crayon.

For printmaking, the ground layer is a dark, acid-resistant coating containing Wax, Tallow, Asphalt, and/or Natural resin.

Synonyms and Related Terms

primer; gesso; preparación (Esp.); aparejo (Esp.); préparation (Fr.); fond (Fr.); camada preparatória (Port.); preparação (Port.)

Resources and Citations

• J.Stephenson, "Ground" The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc. New York, 1996.

• Reed Kay, The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)