plate no. 4334
Autumn Sun, Three Goddesses
Frantisek Kupka, 1906
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the interplay of light and shadow on complex forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figures and the basic composition.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark greens and browns, focusing on the overall tonal values.
- step 03
Block in the figures with a base layer of warm, muted pinks and oranges.
- step 04
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of highlights and shadows, paying attention to the form and anatomy.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, hair, and hands, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
- step 06
Paint the apple tree foliage and apples, using a variety of greens, reds, and yellows.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium red light
secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use green and umber for shadows. Mix greens with yellow ochre and blue for foliage.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·color mixing for skin tones
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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