plate no. 6215
Excited People
some experience helpful
This painting helps students practice expressive color mixing and bold brushstrokes to convey emotion. It also encourages experimentation with non-realistic color palettes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green, varying the shades.
- step 03
Establish the main colors for each figure's face and clothing, ignoring realistic skin tones.
- step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and contours, using thick paint.
- step 05
Introduce secondary colors and highlights to create depth and interest.
- step 06
Refine the facial features and details, emphasizing expressive qualities.
- step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired emotional impact.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Cadmium yellow · Crimson red · Emerald green
secondary · Brown · White · Black
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve skin tones by mixing reds, yellows, and browns, but don't be afraid to use unexpected colors like green and pink.
techniques
- ·Impasto
- ·Color blocking
- ·Expressive brushwork
- ·Alla prima
- ·Scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Being too literal with color choices.
- →Losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
- →Not varying the thickness of the paint application.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round and flat brushes
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oils)
optional
- ·Painting medium
- ·Varnish
Use a variety of brush sizes to create different textures. Consider using a palette knife for applying thick paint.
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