plate no. 6830
A peaceful rest
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering soft, diffused light. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle nuances of color in a muted palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, bench, and main structural elements.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees, foliage, and ground, using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Develop the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 05
Refine the details of the bench and surrounding architecture.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the small flowers and leaves.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · sap green
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth colors with white and small amounts of secondary colors. Use thin glazes to build up color depth and create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·soft blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Creating harsh edges that detract from the softness of the scene.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black)
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·flat brush (#8)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
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