grisaille

noun

gri·​saille gri-ˈzī  -ˈzāl 

: decoration in tones of a single color and especially gray designed to produce a three-dimensional effect

Examples of grisaille in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An initial grisaille watercolor features a gentleman fly-fisher—Homer’s ideal client—about to scoop a trout into his net. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026

In grisaille, figures are fully modeled in the underpainting before adding color on top. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Only in the 1980s would Ruscha consent to pick up a spray gun, in large-scale, word-free grisailles of an elephant climbing a hill, or two ships tossed at sea. — Jason Farago, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023

Most artists use gray tones to underpaint their subjects, a technique known as the grisaille method, but Green uses a watery indigo instead. — Latria Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

French, from gris gray, from Middle French — more at grizzle

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grisaille

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle