plate no. 7207
Beggars near the Church
Ivan Tvorozhnikov, 1889
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a realistic manner, understanding atmospheric perspective, and mastering subtle color variations to create a somber mood. Students will also learn to create the illusion of reflections on a wet surface.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the church.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted grays and blues to create the atmospheric perspective.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with simplified color masses, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 04
Start adding details to the figures, focusing on their clothing, facial features, and gestures.
- step 05
Develop the reflections on the wet ground, using horizontal strokes and muted colors to mimic the distorted images.
- step 06
Refine the details of the church building, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and enhance the mood.
color palette
primary · gray · brown · ochre · white
secondary · blue · red · black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange, red and green) with white. Use thin glazes of color to create subtle variations and depth.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·figure drawing
- ·reflection rendering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and creating a flat, unrealistic image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·Oil paints (gray, brown, ochre, white, blue, red, black)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Turpentine or mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
