plate no. 2700
Divorce
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a complex scene and understanding how to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and tonal variation.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and key elements.
- step 02
Establish the background tones and values, working from dark to light.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes and colors of the figures, paying attention to proportions.
- step 04
Refine the details of the figures, including facial features and clothing.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 06
Paint the furniture and other objects in the scene, considering their textures and colors.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive image.
- step 08
Add final details and refinements.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and ivory black. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create warmer tones for the figures' skin and clothing. Add titanium white to lighten values and create highlights.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or unrealistic.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·assorted brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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