plate no. 0840
An Advanced Dressing Station in France
Henry Tonks, 1918
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures and creating atmospheric perspective through color and value variations. It also provides practice in rendering realistic figures in various poses and emotional states.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a rough sketch of the composition, focusing on the placement of the main figures and the building.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
- step 03
Start adding details to the building, focusing on the light and shadow.
- step 04
Begin painting the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the anatomy and proportions of the figures.
- step 06
Use a limited palette to create a sense of unity in the painting.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker tones in the sky and shadows. Use raw sienna and yellow ochre for the warm tones in the building and figures. Add titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Inaccurate figure proportions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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