plate no. 6581

Clown Making Up

John French Sloan, 1909

oil, canvasNew Realismgenre paintingfigureclowncandlelightinteriortablecostume

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow, and how to create a sense of atmosphere using a limited color palette. Students will also learn how to suggest form with loose brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the table.
step 02
Establish the main light source (candles) and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the background with dark, muted tones, using loose brushstrokes.
step 04
Begin painting the figure, focusing on the overall form and the way the light falls on the costume.
step 05
Add details to the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 06
Refine the details of the table and the objects on it, using small brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix ivory black and raw umber to create the dark background. Use titanium white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the highlights on the figure and table. Mix yellow ochre and cadmium yellow light for the candle light.

techniques