plate no. 2280

Feeding the ducks

oil, panelAcademicismgenre paintingfigureswaterducksbuildingslandscapeclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in natural light and creating realistic water reflections. It also offers practice in depicting textures like fabric and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, buildings, and water line.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, buildings, grass, and water with thin washes.
step 03
Begin adding details to the figures, starting with the skin tones and then moving to the clothing.
step 04
Develop the background elements, paying attention to the subtle color variations in the grass and buildings.
step 05
Create the water reflections by mirroring the colors and shapes of the objects above.
step 06
Add the ducks, focusing on their form and the way they interact with the water.
step 07
Refine the details, such as the facial features, folds in the fabric, and textures in the grass.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The water color is a mix of blue, white, and umber. Mix the greens for the grass with yellow ochre, blue, and a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques