plate no. 8086
Fantasy in Twilight
Edward Robert Hughes, 1911
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, layering, and creating ethereal effects. It also provides practice in rendering complex forms with subtle tonal variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, tree, and the angel group.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of dark blue and brown.
- step 03
Begin layering in the darker areas of the foliage and tree trunk, building up texture with short brushstrokes.
- step 04
Paint the figure, paying attention to the drapery folds and subtle highlights.
- step 05
Create the ethereal effect of the angels by layering thin washes of white and pale blues.
- step 06
Add the warm highlights in the sky and on the tree trunk to create contrast.
- step 07
Refine the details of the foliage and grass in the foreground.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create depth.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium orange · sap green
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to create the ethereal quality of the angels. Mix blues and browns for the dark foliage.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the background, losing the atmospheric perspective.
- →Making the angels too solid and defined, losing their ethereal quality.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, creating a jarring effect.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 filbert brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to simplify the initial stages.
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