A thinned first application of color applied to a ground, often simply so that one would not be painting directly onto white; also used to reduce the absorbency of traditional gesso when painting in oils. Usually an earth color or a neutral gray.

Imprimatura is a term used in painting, meaning an initial stain of color painted on a ground. It provides a painter with a transparent toned ground, which will allow light falling onto the painting to reflect through the paint layers. The term itself stems from the Italian and literally means ¨first paint layer¨.