plate no. 8426

Bells

Victor Zaretsky, 1989

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)symbolic paintingbellsfigurecityscapecrowdabstractpattern

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating textures with brushstrokes, and combining abstract and representational elements. It also encourages experimentation with color and pattern.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the placement of the bells, figure, and cityscape.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and the patterned area on the left.
step 03
Add the details to the bells, including the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the cityscape using a limited palette of white, gray, and hints of red.
step 05
Add the figure in the doorway, paying attention to the contrast between the figure and the background.
step 06
Create the textured foreground using small, individual brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the flowing lines connecting the bells to the cityscape, using a variety of colors.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · yellow · red · black · white

secondary · blue · orange · gray · brown

Achieve the muted tones in the cityscape by mixing white with small amounts of gray, red, and blue. The patterned area uses a mix of bright yellows, oranges, and reds, with small amounts of black and white for contrast.

techniques

·layering
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·pattern creation
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impact of the painting.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which can clash with the muted tones of the cityscape.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the figure and the background.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the different elements in the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic paints (yellow, red, black, white, blue, orange, gray, brown)
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·water
·rags

optional

·painting medium
·varnish
·easel

Using a textured canvas can help to create a more interesting surface for the painting. Consider using a medium to thin the paints and improve their flow.

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