plate no. 8372

Composition for Clarinets and Tin Horn

Ben Shahn, 1951

oilExpressionismstill lifeclarinetsmusical instrumentshandsclownstill lifeabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating textures with brushstrokes, and simplifying complex forms into abstract shapes. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing and expressive mark-making.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the clarinets, hands, and other elements.
step 02
Apply a base layer of color for the background, blending blues, reds, and whites.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the clarinets (black) and the hands (yellow/orange).
step 04
Add details to the clarinets, such as the keys and decorative elements.
step 05
Develop the hands, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Paint the clown figure on the central clarinet with bright colors and bold outlines.
step 07
Refine the background with more layers of color and texture.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire composition.

color palette

primary · black · red · blue · yellow

secondary · white · orange · brown

Achieve the background colors by mixing blues and reds with white. Create the yellow/orange hues for the hands by blending yellow with touches of red and brown.

techniques