plate no. 0781
Duty Paid
Ralph Hedley, 1896
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures in an indoor setting and understanding how light interacts with different surfaces and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures, clothing, and background, paying attention to local color.
- step 04
Develop the light and shadow areas, focusing on the light source from above.
- step 05
Refine the details of the faces, hands, and objects on the table.
- step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create subtle color variations.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to create subtle color variations in the shadows and mid-tones.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a strong sense of light and shadow.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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