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Going Home by Frank Holl

plate no. 8511

Going Home

Frank Holl, 1877

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfiguresroadlandscapebuildingstreesclothing
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, atmospheric perspective, and creating a sense of depth through layering and tonal variations. It also provides practice in capturing realistic textures and details in clothing and the surrounding environment.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main elements of the landscape.

  2. step 02

    Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.

  3. step 03

    Block in the main shapes of the figures, focusing on proportions and basic values.

  4. step 04

    Develop the details of the figures, including clothing, facial features, and accessories.

  5. step 05

    Refine the landscape, adding details to the road, trees, and buildings.

  6. step 06

    Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

  7. step 07

    Pay attention to the subtle color variations in the clothing and the surrounding environment.

  8. step 08

    Add final details and adjustments to create a cohesive and realistic painting.

color palette

primary · red · brown · gray · white

secondary · green · yellow · black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white to create subtle variations. Use thin washes of color to build up depth and atmosphere.

techniques

  • ·layering
  • ·blending
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·figure painting
  • ·tonal variation

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking details too early
  • →Ignoring atmospheric perspective
  • →Incorrect proportions of figures
  • →Muddying colors by overmixing
  • →Not establishing a clear focal point

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
  • ·Oil paints (red, brown, gray, white, green, yellow, black)
  • ·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
  • ·Palette
  • ·Palette knife
  • ·Linseed oil
  • ·Odorless mineral spirits
  • ·Rags

optional

  • ·Medium gloss
  • ·Retarder

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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