plate no. 2147
Forgotten Man
Maynard Dixon, 1944
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the surrounding elements.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure.
- step 04
Refine the details of the figure, paying attention to the proportions and anatomy.
- step 05
Add the details of the clothing and the surrounding environment.
- step 06
Create smooth transitions between values using blending techniques.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Finalize the painting by adding any necessary details and adjusting the colors as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix different proportions of raw umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white to create the various shades of gray and brown. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to add warmth to the skin tones and clothing.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →getting the proportions of the figure wrong
- →overworking the painting
- →not paying attention to the light source
- →using too much detail in the background
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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