plate no. 0768

Family of a Middle Peasant

Victor Palmov, 1929

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitfamilyfigureshorsedogbuildingsrural scene

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and mixing a limited palette to achieve a range of hues and values. It also encourages embracing imperfections and developing a unique artistic style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figures.
step 03
Mix the skin tones using a limited palette of reds, yellows, and whites.
step 04
Add details to the faces, clothing, and background elements.
step 05
Define the edges of the figures and objects with darker values.
step 06
Create texture by varying the brushstrokes and applying paint thickly in some areas.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · red · blue · yellow · white

secondary · orange · green · brown

Mix various shades of red by adding white or small amounts of blue/brown. Create skin tones by mixing red, yellow, and white, adjusting the ratios for different complexions. Achieve greens by mixing blue and yellow, and oranges by mixing red and yellow.

techniques