plate no. 4598

All Souls' Day

Aladar Korosfoi-Kriesch, 1910

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresnightcandlestreescloaksspiritual

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps students understand how to depict figures in low light and how to create a sense of atmosphere using color and brushwork. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into essential shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the overall layout.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of blues, browns, and greens.
step 03
Block in the figures with their respective colors, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Start adding highlights to the figures closest to the light source, using lighter tones of the base colors.
step 05
Create the candle lights in the background with small dabs of yellow and orange.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, adding subtle shadows and highlights to create form.
step 07
Add texture with visible brushstrokes, especially in the clothing and background.
step 08
Adjust the values and colors to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix dark greens and blues for the background. Use white to create lighter tones for the figures and candles. Mix crimson and umber for the reddish cloaks.

techniques