plate no. 1865
Good evening, old man! the boy greeted
John Bauer, 1915
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing layering and glazing techniques to achieve depth and subtle color variations. Students can also develop their skills in rendering textures like fur and fabric with fine details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the relative sizes of the figures and the landscape.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of dark greens and browns.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the troll and the boy, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin layering and glazing to build up the details and create depth in the shadows and highlights.
- step 05
Add texture to the troll's fur and clothing using dry brush techniques.
- step 06
Refine the details of the boy's figure and clothing, paying attention to the light source.
- step 07
Add the glowing orbs and mist around the boy's feet, using light yellows and whites.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · olive green · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · payne's gray · titanium white · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use white to create highlights and lighten the overall tones.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the figures and the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 6, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·odorless mineral spirits or water
optional
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Using a toned canvas can help establish the dark background more easily. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the transparency of the layers.
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