plate no. 8179
Chess Game
Marcel Duchamp, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice capturing figures in various poses and using color to create form and atmosphere. It also provides an opportunity to experiment with visible brushstrokes and color mixing to achieve a post-impressionistic style.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 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
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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