plate no. 2805

A London News Boy

oil, canvasNaturalismgenre paintingfigurestreet scenenewspapersbuildingsposterscityscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and capturing the texture of aged surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, paying attention to atmospheric perspective and the details of the buildings and posters.
step 04
Focus on the figure, building up the form with layers of color and value.
step 05
Add details to the newspaper and other elements, paying attention to the texture and lettering.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add final details, such as highlights and small accents of color.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust the values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazes of burnt umber and raw sienna to create depth and warmth.

techniques