plate no. 5309
After Rain - Chelsea
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections on a wet surface. It also provides practice in painting figures and architectural details in a muted, realistic style.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, carriage, and buildings.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral tones, paying attention to the light source.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, buildings, and street, using a limited palette of grays, blues, and browns.
- step 04
Add the figures and carriage, focusing on accurate proportions and details.
- step 05
Develop the reflections on the wet street, using horizontal brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and figures, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the atmospheric effect.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to the figures and carriage.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Use raw umber and burnt sienna to create warm browns for the buildings and carriage. Add touches of ultramarine blue to the grays for a cool, atmospheric effect.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering reflections
- ·glazing
- ·limited palette
- ·grisaille underpainting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Using too much color and creating a painting that is too bright and saturated.
- →Failing to accurately render the reflections on the wet street.
- →Incorrect proportions of figures and carriage.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a high-quality canvas and oil paints for best results. Thin the oil paints with linseed oil to create a smooth, flowing consistency.
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