plate no. 2553
Future Monk
Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky, 1889
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting realistic figures in an interior setting, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere using subtle color variations and value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement and proportions of the figures and furniture.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall color harmony and temperature.
- step 04
Begin refining the details of the figures, including the facial features, clothing folds, and hands.
- step 05
Add details to the interior, such as the wood grain of the table and floor, and the textures of the clothing and objects.
- step 06
Pay attention to the edges of objects and figures, softening or sharpening them as needed to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to adjust the values and hues, and to create a sense of depth and luminosity.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use thin glazes to build up color and create depth.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a strong sense of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color harmony.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
