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home·artworks·Alas! dear Falada, there thou hangest
Alas! dear Falada, there thou hangest by Arthur Rackham

plate no. 0633

Alas! dear Falada, there thou hangest

Arthur Rackham

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationfiguregeesestone wallarchwayvillagefolklore
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and rendering textures of stone and feathers using line and wash techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the main composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, geese, and architectural elements.

  2. step 02

    Apply a light wash of diluted brown or sepia ink to establish the base tones and shadows.

  3. step 03

    Layer darker washes to define the forms and create depth, especially in the shadows of the stone wall and the folds of the dress.

  4. step 04

    Use fine lines of ink to add details to the geese, such as feathers and facial features.

  5. step 05

    Introduce subtle color washes, like pale blues and pinks, to the sky and the figure's face.

  6. step 06

    Use a dry brush technique with darker ink to create texture on the stone wall.

  7. step 07

    Add highlights with white gouache or watercolor to emphasize the light and create contrast.

  8. step 08

    Refine the details and adjust the values to achieve the desired atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · sepia · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · pale blue · rose pink · yellow ochre

Mix sepia with water for light washes. Add ivory black to sepia for darker shadows. Use white gouache to create highlights.

techniques

  • ·ink wash
  • ·dry brush
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·line drawing
  • ·value layering

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details too early in the process.
  • →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing the washes.
  • →Failing to establish a clear light source.
  • →Not varying the line weight to create depth.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

  • ·watercolor paper 140lb
  • ·sepia ink
  • ·burnt umber watercolor
  • ·ivory black watercolor
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·HB pencil
  • ·kneaded eraser

optional

  • ·white gouache
  • ·palette knife
  • ·ruler

Use archival quality ink and paper to ensure the longevity of the artwork.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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