plate no. 6764
Four Ages in Life
Edvard Munch, 1902
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting helps students understand how to use expressive brushstrokes to convey emotion and how to simplify forms while still capturing the essence of the subject. It also provides practice in mixing and applying a limited color palette to create a cohesive and impactful image.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and buildings.
- step 02
Block in the background colors, focusing on the warm orange tones.
- step 03
Establish the dark values of the figures' clothing, using a thin wash of black.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the faces, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 05
Develop the texture of the road and buildings with visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the figures, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Add the red color to the girl's hat.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · black · orange · red
secondary · white · yellow · brown
Mix orange by combining red and yellow, and create variations by adding white or brown. Achieve the dark tones by diluting black with turpentine or odorless mineral spirits.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not capturing the emotional tone of the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (black, orange, red, white, yellow, brown)
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·Painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·Varnish
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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