plate no. 9089
Balcony in the Crimea
Konstantín Korovin, 1910
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning how to depict light and shadow in an interior space, and how to create depth using color and brushstrokes. Students will also practice painting reflections and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the door, window, balcony, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the floor, walls, sea, and sky.
- step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth.
- step 04
Add details to the door and window frames, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Paint the flowers and foliage on the balcony, using loose brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the reflections in the glass and the shadows on the floor.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · payne's grey
Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the various shades of white. Use red and white for the flowers. Mix blue and white for the sky and sea. Use umber and white for the floor and walls.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color temperature
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the white areas.
- →Making the shadows too dark and losing the sense of light.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·payne's grey oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) to allow for sufficient detail. Consider using a toned canvas to make the whites pop.
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