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home·artworks·Fishing
Fishing by Vladimir Makovsky

plate no. 0430

Fishing

Vladimir Makovsky, 1884

oilRealismgenre paintingrivertreesfigureslandscapefishingfoliage

recreation guide

Vladimir Makovsky’s 'Fishing' (1884) is a genre painting that depicts ordinary people engaged in common activities, consistent with the definition of genre art which portrays figures to whom no specific identity is attached (Source 3). Makovsky’s work during this period is characterized by a blend of realism and social commentary, often featuring 'perpetual humor as well as blatant irony and scorn' (Source 2). As a founding member of the Association of Travelling Art Exhibitions, Makovsky produced works that were socially conscious, drawing attention to the lives of small-town folk and the broader societal context of late 19th-century Russia (Source 2). The painting likely employs the 'reality effect' typical of genre painting, where the depiction aims for a convincing illusion of everyday life rather than strict documentary accuracy (Source 6).

estimated time

40-60 hours over 8-12 sessions

materials

6 items

steps

6 in sequence

materials

itempurposemodern equivalent
Oil paintsPrimary medium for the artwork—
Linseed oilMedium to thin paint and adjust drying timeArtist-grade linseed oil
Mineral spirits or turpentineSolvent for thinning paint and cleaning brushesOdorless mineral spirits
CanvasSupport surfacePrimed linen or cotton canvas
Charcoal or thinned paintInitial sketching of the subjectVine charcoal or diluted oil paint
Palette knives and ragsApplication and removal of paint layersStandard artist palette knives and lint-free rags

preparation

surface prep

The canvas should be prepared to accept oil paint, likely involving a ground that allows for the layering techniques described in traditional oil painting practices. While specific preparation for this exact canvas is not detailed in the sources, traditional methods involve priming to ensure the paint adheres properly and to provide a suitable surface for the 'fat over lean' application rule (Source 8).

underdrawing

Traditional oil painting techniques often begin with the artist sketching the subject onto the canvas with charcoal or thinned paint (Source 8). Makovsky, as a sound craftsman, would likely have used this method to establish the composition and figures before applying paint (Source 1).

underpainting

A grisaille (monochrome underpainting) may be employed, as this method was practised by old masters and involves extracting red and yellow colours to establish values before glazing (Source 7). This technique helps in managing the 'broad masses' and avoiding the tendency to get 'too much tied down to your outline' (Source 1).

color palette

Earth tones

Umbers, ochres, siennas

General use in this artist's palette for realistic depiction of everyday life

Blues and Greens

Ultramarine, viridian, phthalo

Likely used for water and foliage, consistent with genre painting landscapes

Reds and Yellows

Cadmium red, yellow ochre

Glazing and scumbling to add warmth and vitality, as per traditional methods (Source 7)

composition

The composition likely organizes the visual elements—line, shape, color, texture, value, form, and space—to guide the viewer’s eye through the scene (Source 4). As a genre painting, it focuses on the activity of fishing, with figures arranged to convey a narrative of everyday life without specific identities (Source 3). Makovsky’s compositional habits often included a balance between realistic depiction and social commentary, ensuring the scene is both familiar and thought-provoking (Source 2).

step by step

underdrawing→underpainting→first pass→refining→finishing→varnishing

underdrawing

  1. step 01

    Sketch the figures and setting using charcoal or thinned paint to establish the composition.

    Tip — Focus on the broad masses and avoid getting tied down to outlines too early.

    Initial sketching

underpainting

  1. step 02

    Apply a grisaille layer to establish values and forms, excluding red and yellow tones.

    Tip — Ensure the underpainting is dry before proceeding to glazing.

    Grisaille

first pass

  1. step 03

    Begin applying color in broad strokes, focusing on the main elements of the scene.

    Tip — Use the 'fat over lean' rule to ensure proper drying and prevent cracking.

    Blocking in

refining

  1. step 04

    Glaze and scumble with red and yellow tones to add depth and warmth.

    Tip — Be mindful of the transparency and opacity of the layers to achieve the desired effect.

    Glazing and scumbling

finishing

  1. step 05

    Refine details and adjust values to enhance the realism and narrative impact.

    Tip — Avoid over-modeling and maintain the integrity of the broad masses.

    Detailing

varnishing

  1. step 06

    Apply a final varnish to protect the painting and enhance the colors.

    Tip — Ensure the painting is completely dry before varnishing.

    Varnishing

critical techniques

Glazing and Scumbling

Used to add transparency and depth, particularly with red and yellow tones, as practised by old masters (Source 7).

Fat over Lean

Each additional layer of paint should contain more oil than the layer below to allow proper drying and prevent cracking (Source 8).

Broad Masses

Focusing on broad masses rather than fine details initially to avoid getting tied down to outlines (Source 1).

common pitfalls

  • →Over-modeling and getting too tied down to outlines, which can lead to a stiff and unnatural appearance (Source 1).
  • →Ignoring the 'fat over lean' rule, which can cause the painting to crack and peel (Source 8).
  • →Attempting to deceive the eye with excessive realism rather than expressing the emotional idea through painted symbols (Source 5).

what the sources don't tell us

Where the corpus is silent, we say so rather than guess. These are the gaps a complete recreation guide would normally cover that our source passages don't.

  • ·Specific color palette used by Makovsky for 'Fishing' is not detailed in the sources.
  • ·Exact compositional layout of 'Fishing' is not described in the sources.
  • ·Specific preparatory methods for this particular canvas are not documented.

grounded in

The technical procedure in this guide traces to the following classical art-instruction texts.

  • The Practice of Oil Painting↗

    • ON COPYING — applied to Underdrawing and avoiding over-modeling
    • COLOURING A MONOCHROME — applied to Glazing and scumbling techniques
  • The Practice and Science of Drawing↗

    • XX MATERIALS — applied to Importance of medium and avoiding excessive realism

cross-referenced from

Named facts about this artwork and artist were checked against these reference pages.

  • Wikipedia bio — Vladimir Makovsky↗

    • Biography — applied to Artist's style and social commentary
  • Wikipedia: Genre painting↗

    • Genre painting — applied to Definition and characteristics of genre art
  • Wikipedia: Composition (visual arts)↗

    • Composition (visual arts) — applied to Compositional elements
  • Wikipedia: Dutch Golden Age painting↗

    • Dutch Golden Age painting — applied to Reality effect in genre painting
  • Wikipedia: Oil painting↗

    • Oil painting — applied to Materials and 'fat over lean' rule

Read more about the corpus on the sources page and how the guides are built on the methods page.

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