plate no. 6713
A Wagon of the Third Class
Honore Daumier, 1864
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and rendering figures in a dimly lit environment. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and capturing the mood of a scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light charcoal sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of diluted paint.
- step 03
Focus on establishing the dark background and gradually build up the lighter areas.
- step 04
Develop the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and gestures.
- step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · Prussian blue · yellow ochre
Achieve the muted tones by mixing burnt umber with black and small amounts of blue or yellow. Use white sparingly to create highlights.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating too much contrast, losing the overall mood.
- →Failing to establish a strong focal point.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·charcoal pencils
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·varnish
Use a toned canvas to help establish the overall value range. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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