plate no. 9402
Henri III and Don Juan of Austria
Richard Parkes Bonington, 1828
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in complex poses and using a limited palette to create a sense of atmosphere. Students will also learn to suggest details rather than rendering them precisely.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and furniture.
- step 02
Establish the overall composition and proportions.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the darks and lights.
- step 04
Start building up layers of paint, blending and softening edges.
- step 05
Focus on rendering the figures' faces and hands, paying attention to subtle value changes.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and furniture, suggesting textures with brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ivory black · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian
Use burnt umber and ivory black to create a range of dark tones. Mix raw sienna and titanium white for lighter areas. Use small amounts of cadmium red and viridian for the parrot and other accents.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·alla prima
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmosphere.
- →Using too much color and creating a garish effect.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Getting bogged down in rendering every detail precisely.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a canvas with a smooth texture. Consider using a toned ground to help establish the overall color scheme.
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