plate no. 1151
A LITTLE SLOVAK
Marianne Stokes, 1909
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering skin tones and creating a sense of depth through subtle color variations in the landscape. It also provides practice in depicting realistic figures in a natural setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main elements of the landscape.
- step 02
Establish the background by blocking in the sky, field, and distant house with broad strokes.
- step 03
Begin to build up the skin tones of the figure, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Add details to the figure's face, hands, and feet, refining the shapes and adding highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the cherries and the plate, focusing on their realistic color and form.
- step 06
Develop the details of the field, adding individual blades of grass and flowers with small brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and harmony.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · viridian green · cerulean blue
Skin tones are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Greens are created by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and white. The sky is a mix of cerulean blue and white.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them properly.
- →Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on small details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (for oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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