White or Coloured Grounds

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Hang on Studio Wall
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I would be interested in reading your opinions on the the use of a coloured ground for oil or acrylic painting as against painting directly on to a primed white surface. In traditional painting I think it was common to have a coloured ground but I have got the impression that from the impressionists onwards a white ground was preferred. You can certainly see the unpainted canvas surface on many Degas, Lautrec and Cezanne paintings. I have had different opinions from different tutors. One who teaches in a more conventional manner preferred a white surface saying that it was easier to work out your tones in the first layer, the other in an abstract class always recommended a coloured under painting. I look forward to reading your opinions. (?)