plate no. 6089

Calendar: May (Celebrating May Day Near the Town of Riom in the Auvergne)

vellumInternational Gothicillustrationfigureshorsesprocessionlandscapetownsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and detail, as well as practicing precise line work for figures and architectural elements. It also helps to understand the use of color to create a sense of atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to the placement of figures, horses, and the architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the background sky and landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering in the basic colors for the figures' clothing and horses, focusing on the general shapes and values.
step 04
Refine the details of the figures, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Add details to the horses, including their tack and the texture of their coats.
step 06
Paint the architectural details of the town in the background, using fine lines and subtle color variations.
step 07
Add the details of the sky and the celestial elements.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adding final touches and adjusting values as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · vermilion · green · white

secondary · gold · brown · grey · purple

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve subtle variations in skin tones by mixing reds, yellows, and whites. Use white to lighten blues for the sky.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·dry brushing
·fine line work
·color blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions.

materials

surface · vellum or high-quality watercolor paper

required

·vellum or high-quality paper
·watercolor paints or gouache
·small round brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·water
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·ruler
·compass
·palette knife

Using high-quality materials will help to achieve the best results. Vellum is the traditional surface for this type of painting, but high-quality watercolor paper can also be used.

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