plate no. 8179

Chess Game

Marcel Duchamp, 1910

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigureschess gametablegardenchairslandscape

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures, table, and chairs.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color for the background, figures, and table, focusing on overall tones.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes of the figures and objects, paying attention to proportions and angles.
step 04
Add details to the faces and clothing, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the background with layers of green and blue, creating depth and texture.
step 06
Mix subtle variations of color to create form and light on the figures and objects.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · purple

Mix greens by blending viridian green with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the purplish hues by blending alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·color mixing
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→over-blending colors
→getting proportions wrong
→ignoring the overall tonal values
→using too much detail

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (viridian green, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife