plate no. 6226
Double Small
Sarunas Sauka3, 1992
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and using a limited color palette to achieve a cohesive mood. It also encourages exploration of symbolic representation through visual elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions and placement of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin wash of dark browns and blues.
- step 03
Block in the general shapes of the figures with muted earth tones.
- step 04
Begin layering lighter tones to define the forms and create highlights.
- step 05
Add details to the figures, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
- step 06
Paint the jewelry with brighter colors and small details.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding final touches.
- step 08
Add subtle glazes to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the dark background. Use raw sienna and yellow ochre for the figures, adding small amounts of cadmium red light for warmth. White can be used to create highlights.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating colors that are too saturated or bright.
- →Losing the overall sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·assorted round and flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified background.
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