plate no. 6436
After the flood
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex textures and depicting a wide variety of animal forms. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere in a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the ark, rock formation, and animal groups.
- step 02
Establish the sky and distant mountains with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the rock formation, using a range of browns and grays.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the rock formation, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
- step 05
Start painting the animals, working from the background to the foreground.
- step 06
Pay attention to the anatomy and proportions of each animal.
- step 07
Add details to the foreground, including the water and debris.
- step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, and white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create warm highlights on the animals and rocks.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Making the animals look flat and lifeless.
- →Overworking the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 24x36
- ·oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ivory black)
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for layering and blending.
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