plate no. 7189
Communion Day
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice painting white fabric and capturing the effects of light and shadow. Students can also develop their skills in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
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 figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the background with light washes of color, indicating the garden and wall.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress and head covering with white and light blue.
- step 04
Develop the shadows and folds in the dress using subtle variations of gray and blue.
- step 05
Add details to the face and hands, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 06
Paint the plants and flowers in the background, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to the dress and face.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the various shades of white in the dress. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow for the flowers and plants. Mix alizarin crimson and umber for the skin tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushwork.
- →Making the white too flat and lacking in depth.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a high-quality canvas and oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve its flow.
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