plate no. 8130

Begging children

Meyer von Bremen, 1880

oil, canvasAcademicismgenre paintingchildrenfigureswallbasketclothingfoliage

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figures and the wall.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes, creating a dark and atmospheric feel.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures' clothing and skin, paying attention to value relationships.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the faces, focusing on capturing the expressions and subtle shifts in light and shadow.
step 05
Add texture to the clothing and wall using varied brushstrokes and dry brushing techniques.
step 06
Develop the foliage and surrounding environment, softening edges and adding subtle color variations.
step 07
Refine the details of the basket and other small elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Create shadows by adding ivory black and ultramarine blue to the base skin tone mix.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·assorted round and flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·rags