underfärgen

Underfärgen, meaning "the under color" in Swedish, is a term used in color theory and the visual arts to describe the deliberate use of a base color layer that remains partially visible beneath subsequent layers, influencing the final appearance of a work. The concept highlights how an underlying hue can affect perceived brightness, warmth, and saturation even when it is not the dominant color seen by the viewer.

In traditional painting, underfärg aligns with the practice of underpainting. Artists lay down an initial monochrome or tonal wash to establish form and light, and later glazes interact with that foundation to determine the final color balance. Choosing an appropriate underlayer—warm to brighten flesh tones, or cool to tame shadows—can subtly steer the finished look.

In printing and digital color work, the idea of an underfärg is echoed by planned base layers and color management strategies. Some workflows explicitly use an undercolor in CMYK or RGB space to improve tonal separation, contrast, and ink economy. The approach helps control how final colors emerge after layering and shading.

While not a formal term in most art-historical catalogs, underfärgen is used in Swedish pedagogy and contemporary discussions of color perception to describe the practical effect of base hues on final color experience. It underscores the continuity between traditional painting practices and modern color science.