plate no. 0144
Free hour at the Amsterdam Orphanage
Max Liebermann, 1882
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a complex scene and capturing the effects of light and shadow on various surfaces. It also provides practice in rendering textures and details with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and architectural elements.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the buildings, figures, and ground, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Develop the shadows and highlights on the buildings and figures, paying attention to the direction of light.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, such as facial features and clothing folds, using smaller brushes.
- step 05
Refine the textures of the ground and buildings with broken brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Pay close attention to the rendering of the white clothing, using subtle variations in tone and color to create form.
- step 07
Add the final details, such as the birds on the ground and the foliage in the background.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and yellow ochre to create muted greens for the foliage. Add small amounts of cadmium red to the browns to create warmth.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in tone and color in the white clothing.
- →Creating too much contrast and losing the atmospheric perspective.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#6, #8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
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