apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·February
February by Michael Sowa

plate no. 6086

February

Michael Sowa

oilSurrealismgenre paintinginteriorfigurewindowbirdscatsnow
some experience helpful

This painting will help students develop skills in rendering light and shadow to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing accurate proportions and creating a focal point.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, window, and key objects.

  2. step 02

    Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar neutral tone.

  3. step 03

    Block in the main color areas, paying attention to the warm and cool tones.

  4. step 04

    Develop the details of the figure, including the face, hands, and clothing.

  5. step 05

    Paint the window scene, focusing on the light and shadow on the buildings and snow.

  6. step 06

    Add the birds and cat, paying attention to their shapes and proportions.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and realism.

  8. step 08

    Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue with white. Use raw sienna to add warmth to the interior.

techniques

  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·chiaroscuro
  • ·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

  • →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
  • →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall effect.
  • →Not paying attention to the light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·ultramarine blue oil paint
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·raw sienna oil paint

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

The flash

The flash

Rene Magritte

Distress Call

Distress Call

Kit Williams

Indian Summer

Indian Summer

Abdul Mati Klarwein

Cabaret (Visul lui Omero)

Cabaret (Visul lui Omero)

Jules Perahim

Remember

Remember

Sabin Balasa

Paris dream

Paris dream

Max Ernst

The Crisis

The Crisis

Sabin Balasa

The great table

The great table

Rene Magritte