plate no. 3593
Blind children feel an elephant
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with multiple figures and creating a somber, realistic atmosphere through color and value. Students will also practice capturing textures and forms using visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the elephants, figures, and cityscape.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas, starting with the background and larger shapes.
- step 03
Develop the values and tones of the elephants, paying attention to the light source.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, focusing on their expressions and clothing.
- step 05
Paint the circus poster and lamppost, adding highlights to create a focal point.
- step 06
Refine the cityscape in the background, using muted colors and soft edges.
- step 07
Add final details and adjust the overall balance of the painting.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create depth.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of blue and red. Use white to create highlights and lighten the overall value.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmosphere.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the relationships between the figures and the elephants.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·acrylic gesso
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned ground to speed up the painting process.
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