plate no. 7791
Deputy Firing Shot
Oliver Kilbourn, 1975
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a dimly lit environment and understanding how light interacts with different surfaces in an enclosed space. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and perspective using tonal values and overlapping forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main structural elements of the tunnel.
- step 02
Establish the overall tonal range by applying a thin wash of a neutral color like burnt umber or raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
- step 04
Begin to build up the light and shadow on the figures and the surrounding environment, using a limited palette of earth tones and whites.
- step 05
Add details to the figures' faces and clothing, as well as the wood supports and other objects in the tunnel.
- step 06
Refine the edges of the forms and create a sense of depth by layering and blending the colors.
- step 07
Add highlights to the figures and objects to create a sense of realism and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and payne's gray with white. Use yellow ochre to add warmth to the highlights on the figures and wood supports.
techniques
- ·tonal painting
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Failing to create a strong sense of depth and perspective.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy or chaotic effect.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas to provide a good surface for layering and blending the colors. Consider using a limited palette of earth tones to capture the muted colors of the scene.
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