plate no. 8353
At a Stream. Poet Sitting on Stones
Oleksa Novakivskyi, 1921
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto brushwork and understanding how to represent form with loose, expressive strokes. It also provides practice in mixing subtle variations of a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, rocks, and water.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin applying thicker paint with visible brushstrokes to define the forms.
- step 04
Use directional strokes to suggest the movement of water and the texture of the rocks.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · ultramarine blue
secondary · raw umber · yellow ochre
Achieve the various gray tones by mixing white with black and small amounts of blue or umber. Use yellow ochre sparingly to warm up certain areas.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much detail and creating a stiff, unnatural effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·assorted flat brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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