plate no. 8940

A game of chequers

Gustavo Simoni, 1918

watercolorOrientalismgenre paintingfiguresarchitectureinteriorcarpetgameclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in complex drapery and capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow within an architectural space. It also provides practice in depicting intricate patterns, such as those found on the carpet.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a light wash of diluted raw umber or similar neutral tone.
step 03
Begin layering in local colors, starting with the lightest areas and gradually building up darker tones.
step 04
Focus on rendering the drapery folds and shadows on the figures' clothing.
step 05
Carefully paint the details of the carpet, breaking it down into manageable sections.
step 06
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the columns and walls, using subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures' faces and hands.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · sap green

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix various shades of browns and grays by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and ultramarine blue. Use yellow ochre and sap green to create the green tones for the figure's clothing. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brushing
·glazing
·lifting
·rendering drapery

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast
→Not paying attention to the perspective of the architectural elements

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·palette
·water container
·masking tape
·pencil

optional

·palette knife
·gouache
·ruler
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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