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1. Colors used
Many artists used to use monochromatic underpaintings. The reason for this was to give substance and volume to the different aspects of the painting, as well as to enhance the contrast between darker areas and lighter areas. However, any color and any color of combinations can be used. It's worth experimenting to see what different effects can be produced by using different colors and color combinations for your underpainting. Many choose to use lots of different colors as a sort of template for layers to be painted on top.
2. Purpose
Underpaintings are used to give paintings more tonality and texture. Many artists use a limited number of colors to create a first version of their painting, marking of areas that are going to be rich in color as further layers are added. Underpaintings can also be used to give your painting flashes of color. The color used in the underpainting will very slowly show through the layers on top of it. It's a good idea to experiment with contrasting colors, so the colors from the bottom layer will be shown more effectively. A really good underpainting can produce colors that visually mix with colors from the topmost layers of the painting without the colors physically blending together. Think of an underpainting as a blueprint for the final version of the painting.
3. Popularity today
A lot of artists do not actually use this technique today. The reason is because they simply do not see the point in spending time on the bottom layers when it's the topmost layers that matter the most. Underpaintings were very popular through history, though nowdays the practice of creating an underpainting has lost favor with many artists. Using this technique definitely has its advantages, as it allows you to map out your painting and highlight areas where more color is going to be applied. Using underpainting can be a great way to get you to think more about the composition of your painting.
4. Grisaille
Grisaille refers to paintings that are completed either in monochrome or nearly all in monochrome. The color used in grisaille paintings is usually gray; grisaille works can be found in many different shades of gray. Artists also use grisaille as an underpainting: the first and bottommost layer of the painting that they complete in gray. Using the grisaille underpainting technique can give paintings a sort of 3D effect. Grisaille was developed by French painters and was commonly used throughout the Renaissance. Although gray is mainly used, browns can be used as well.
5. Verdaccio
Verdaccio is the name given to a specific mixture of pigments. Those pigments are black, white and yellow. When these pigments are mixed together, they produce soft green color that has hints of yellow or gray, depending on how much of each color is used. This mixture of pigments was very commonly used by Italian artists for underpainting. It was especially popular for portraits and other works featuring people, as the green of the verdaccio would complement and balance the pinks and other light colors used to depict the subject's skin tones.
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