plate no. 1795
Eating Mămăligă
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow on figures and objects, as well as practice loose, expressive brushwork to create texture and form. Students will also learn to mix a limited palette to create a harmonious color scheme.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and block in the large areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin building up the forms of the figures, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to define the shapes.
- step 04
Mix a range of skin tones using a limited palette of earth tones, white, and a touch of red.
- step 05
Pay attention to the details of the clothing and the objects on the table, capturing their textures and colors.
- step 06
Refine the background, using loose brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue and white. Use cadmium red light sparingly to add warmth to skin tones and other areas.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source and creating flat, lifeless forms.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy, discordant color scheme.
- →Neglecting the background and allowing it to compete with the foreground.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) to establish a base tone.
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