plate no. 6963

A Talk in the Park

Haddon Sundblom, 1929

oil, canvasNew Realismgenre paintingfiguresparkbenchtreesclothingconversation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow, mixing realistic skin tones, and depicting figures in a natural setting. It also provides practice in rendering textures of clothing and architectural elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and bench.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the values, focusing on the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Mix and apply realistic skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, capturing the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the background elements, such as the trees and buildings, using loose brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the facial features and small highlights.
step 08
Review the painting as a whole and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix browns and grays by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Add small amounts of cadmium red or yellow ochre to warm up the tones. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques