plate no. 1901
Família
Tarsila do Amaral, 1925
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating a sense of depth through layering.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and animals.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background (sky and ground).
- step 03
Begin filling in the figures with their base skin tones.
- step 04
Add the clothing colors, keeping the shapes simple.
- step 05
Mix and apply the shadows and highlights to the faces and bodies.
- step 06
Paint the details of the animals and any small objects.
- step 07
Refine the outlines and edges of the figures.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · blue · pink · yellow · brown
secondary · white · black · green
Mix skin tones by combining browns, yellows, reds, and white. Use blue and white to create the sky. Mix green for the ground.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·flat washes
- ·simplified forms
- ·layering
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes and details.
- →Using too many colors and muddying the palette.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Canvas or painting panel
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Water or solvent (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium (for oil paints)
- ·Easel
- ·Apron
Use a smooth canvas to achieve the flat, even color application seen in the original painting.
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