plate no. 1121
A tricky choice
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a realistic setting and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of stone and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a rough sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures and buildings.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the buildings and figures using thin washes.
- step 03
Develop the values and details of the stone architecture, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 04
Refine the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and clothing details.
- step 05
Add details to the foreground, including the cobblestones and any objects on the table.
- step 06
Work on the background elements, using lighter values and softer edges to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and adjust the overall tone.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the grays for the distant buildings and sky. Add small amounts of cadmium red to warm up the browns for the figures' clothing.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering fabric
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the principles of atmospheric perspective.
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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