plate no. 0219
Andreescu at Barbizon
Nicolae Grigorescu, 1880
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice loose brushwork and capturing light and shadow in a natural setting. Students can learn to simplify details and focus on the overall impression of the scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the sky, the foliage, the figure's clothing, and the ground.
- step 03
Start layering the background foliage with loose, broken brushstrokes, varying the greens and blues.
- step 04
Define the figure's form with broader strokes, paying attention to the light and shadow on the clothing and face.
- step 05
Add details to the face and clothing, but keep the brushwork loose and expressive.
- step 06
Introduce highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the foliage.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the figure and the foliage to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final touches and details, such as the small flowers in the foreground.
color palette
primary · viridian green · cerulean blue · raw umber · yellow ochre
secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix greens by blending viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use raw umber and burnt sienna to create earth tones for the ground and figure's clothing. Achieve the blue of the shirt by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of green.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the figure.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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