plate no. 6467
A bedtime story
Adolf Eberle, 1869
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and capturing the effects of light and shadow in an interior scene. Students will also learn to create depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and major elements.
- step 02
Establish the dark background tones with a thin wash of burnt umber and black.
- step 03
Block in the main color masses for the figures, bed, and other objects.
- step 04
Develop the skin tones, using a limited palette of reds, yellows, and whites.
- step 05
Refine the details of the faces, hands, and clothing.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and depth.
- step 07
Paint the details of the bed, furniture, and other objects.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the atmosphere.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red for skin tones, and ultramarine blue to cool down the shadows.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much color and not enough neutral tones.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges and transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a high-quality canvas primed with oil-based gesso for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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