plate no. 1610
Christmas Time (also known as The Blodgett Family)
Eastman Johnson, 1864
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures in complex lighting and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the textures of various materials like wood, fabric, and skin.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures, furniture, and architectural elements, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin painting the background elements, such as the walls, fireplace, and doorway, gradually adding details and variations in color and texture.
- step 04
Focus on the figures, starting with the largest and most prominent ones, and gradually working towards the smaller figures and details.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the lighting and shadows, using subtle gradations of color to create a sense of depth and volume.
- step 06
Develop the textures of the various materials, such as the wood of the furniture, the fabric of the clothing, and the skin of the figures.
- step 07
Add the final details, such as the highlights in the eyes, the patterns on the carpet, and the ornaments on the Christmas tree.
- step 08
Review the painting as a whole and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the composition, color, and values are balanced and harmonious.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna with small amounts of black and white. Use red and yellow ochre to create the warm glow of the fireplace and the highlights on the figures.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →overworking details too early
- →inaccurate proportions of figures
- →lack of value contrast
- →muddy colors
- →ignoring perspective
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a high-quality canvas primed with gesso. Consider using a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process.
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