plate no. 5905
Group of Actors at Mid Body, the Former French Comedy
Honore Daumier, 1865
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing character and expression, and in creating depth through layering and subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and textures with loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Establish the overall dark background with a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for each figure, using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Begin to build up the values and details in the faces, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figures, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
- step 07
Add highlights and final touches to bring the painting to life.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and add depth.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red light to warm up the skin tones and clothing.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much color and losing the overall tonal harmony.
- →Making the figures look flat and lifeless.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion and brushwork. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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