plate no. 5595

Afternoon on the terrace

Vittorio Matteo Corcos, 1900

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguresbalconylandscapefoliagearchitecturebooks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures and drapery, as well as creating atmospheric perspective in the background landscape. It also provides practice in depicting various textures, such as fabric, foliage, and architectural details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the figures, balcony, and landscape using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Develop the values and details of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns on their clothing and faces.
step 04
Refine the details of the balcony and foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Work on the background landscape, using lighter values and softer edges to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add the details of the books and other objects on the terrace, paying attention to their textures and colors.
step 07
Glaze over certain areas to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix various shades of green for the foliage by combining yellow ochre, viridian, and titanium white. Create skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a touch of raw umber.

techniques