plate no. 8594

A Walk with Grandpa

Augustus Edwin Mulready, 1904

oil, canvasNaturalismgenre paintingfiguresgraveyardbuildingtreeschildrendoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, rendering textures like stone and fabric, and creating atmospheric perspective. The painting also offers a good opportunity to practice color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and subtle variations in the landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and the architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the sky, building, and trees.
step 03
Establish the basic values and colors of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Refine the details of the figures, including the facial features, clothing, and accessories.
step 05
Add details to the background, such as the texture of the stone and the foliage of the trees.
step 06
Work on the details of the graveyard, including the tombstones and the grass.
step 07
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · white · brown · black

secondary · green · yellow · blue · grey

Achieve the red coat by mixing a deep red with touches of brown and black for shadows. Mix greens for the grass by combining yellow and blue, adding white for highlights and brown for shadows. Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue.

techniques