plate no. 7093
Cardinal Archbishop Sat on His Shaded Balcony
Maxfield Parrish, 1901
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, rendering textures of stone and fabric, and creating subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting a complex architectural space.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main architectural elements, figure, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, sea, and architectural structures.
- step 03
Develop the values and details of the figure, paying close attention to the folds of the clothing.
- step 04
Refine the architectural details, focusing on the play of light and shadow on the stone surfaces.
- step 05
Add the clouds, using soft blending techniques to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 06
Paint the table and tea set, paying attention to the reflections and highlights.
- step 07
Add the details of the distant cityscape and boats.
- step 08
Finish by adding subtle details and adjusting the overall color balance.
color palette
primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix various shades of gray and beige by combining raw umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Achieve the sky color by mixing ultramarine blue and titanium white, and adjust the tone with small amounts of raw umber.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering fabric
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Overworking the details before establishing the overall composition.
- →Not creating enough depth in the sky and distant landscape.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the stone and fabric.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will be easier to blend on.
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