plate no. 5712
Family
Fernando Botero, 1983
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in proportion, color mixing to achieve muted tones, and creating a sense of volume through subtle shading. Students will also learn to simplify complex shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, paying attention to the overall composition and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figures.
- step 03
Begin adding shadows and highlights to create volume and depth.
- step 04
Refine the details of the faces and clothing.
- step 05
Add the smaller details, such as the toys and the background elements.
- step 06
Check the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensional effect.
- step 08
Let the painting dry completely and then apply a varnish to protect it.
color palette
primary · ochre · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium yellow
secondary · viridian · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Achieve the skin tones by mixing ochre, white, and a touch of red. Mute the colors by adding a small amount of complementary color.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong, especially in the figures.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall simplicity of the painting.
- →Failing to create a sense of volume and depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium for blending
- ·varnish
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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