plate no. 7117
A Big Family
Zhang Xiaogang, 1995
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering smooth skin tones and capturing subtle expressions. It also provides practice in color mixing and achieving a limited palette with impactful color accents.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the three figures, focusing on accurate placement and size relationships.
- step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone gray, ensuring a smooth, even application.
- step 03
Establish the basic values for each figure, using a grayscale palette except for the central figure, which should be blocked in with a flat red.
- step 04
Refine the facial features of the figures, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Begin blending and smoothing the skin tones, gradually building up highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Add the details of the clothing, such as the collars, buttons, and folds, using subtle variations in value.
- step 07
Carefully paint the red string connecting the figures, ensuring a delicate and precise line.
- step 08
Add the final highlights and details, such as the light patches on the faces and clothing, to enhance the realism and depth of the painting.
color palette
primary · gray · black · white · red
secondary · yellow
Achieve the various gray tones by mixing black and white in different proportions. The red is a relatively pure, saturated red. The light patches are a pale yellow, created by mixing white with a touch of yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·grayscale
- ·limited palette
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions of the figures.
- →Uneven or streaky background.
- →Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Neglecting the subtle details of the facial features.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (black, white, red, yellow ochre)
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brush (size 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Rags
Using a smooth canvas will help achieve the smooth skin tones. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the blending and create subtle color variations.
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