plate no. 9610

French Workers

Ben Shahn, 1942

oilSocial Realismgenre paintingfigureshandswalldecreetextcrowd

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting human figures and hands in expressive poses, as well as understanding how to create a sense of depth and texture with limited color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the decree.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background wall and the red decree sign.
step 03
Establish the base tones for the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to define the forms of the hands, using a limited palette of browns, ochres, and whites.
step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing, focusing on capturing the expressions of the figures.
step 06
Refine the texture of the wall and the lettering on the decree.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and ochre by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, and white. Use cadmium red for the decree, adjusting the tone with burnt umber for darker areas.

techniques