plate no. 6080

An ordinary man walking with his dogs

Greta Freist, 1978

oilMagic Realismgenre paintingfiguresdogsstreetcityscapewalkingwinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in motion and creating a sense of depth through layering and color variation. It also provides practice in capturing textures, such as the fur of the dogs and the fabric of the clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and dogs, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the street.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the background, figures, and dogs using thin washes.
step 04
Begin adding details to the figures, focusing on the clothing, facial features, and the texture of the fur.
step 05
Develop the background by adding details to the street and the figures in the distance.
step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details such as the dog leashes, the man's cane, and the boy's hat.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of grey for the street and background by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and titanium white. Achieve the yellow tones of the man's coat by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of cadmium red light.

techniques