plate no. 0367
Charity
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing realistic skin tones, and creating depth through layering and brushwork. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and metallic surfaces.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the pitcher.
- step 02
Establish the background with loose, gestural brushstrokes, using a mix of greens, browns, and yellows.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, capturing the folds and textures with varied brushstrokes.
- step 06
Paint the pitcher, focusing on the highlights and reflections to create a metallic effect.
- step 07
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Add final touches to the background and foreground, creating depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red
secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red, with small amounts of burnt umber and blue for shadows. Create the metallic sheen of the pitcher by layering grays and whites with hints of blue and green.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges and transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red, viridian green, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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