plate no. 1573

Fish and Crab

Jose Gutierrez Solana, 1928

oil, canvasExpressionismstill lifefishcrabstill lifeseascaperockssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures and capturing dramatic lighting using a limited color palette. It also provides practice in composing a still life with organic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the fish, crab, and background elements (rocks, sea, sky) using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark areas of the sky, rocks, and shadows on the fish and crab with a dark neutral color.
step 03
Begin layering in the local colors of the fish (silvers, grays, browns) and the crab (reds, oranges) using broad brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the textures of the fish scales and crab shell by using short, broken brushstrokes and varying the pressure on the brush.
step 05
Refine the highlights and shadows on the fish and crab to create a sense of form and volume.
step 06
Add details to the background, such as the waves in the sea and the texture of the rocks.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the eyes of the fish and the claws of the crab.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue. Create the red for the crab by mixing cadmium red with touches of umber and yellow ochre to vary the tone.

techniques

·dry brush
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not harmonizing with the overall palette.
→Ignoring the importance of texture in rendering the fish and crab.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags