plate no. 6085
Here is a piece of a troll herb which nobody else but me can find
John Bauer, 1912
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures with unusual proportions and creating a muted, earthy color palette. It also provides practice in depicting detailed textures and patterns.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the relative sizes of the figures and the placement of the trees.
- step 02
Lightly block in the main areas of color, establishing the overall tonal values.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the troll's face and hair, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
- step 04
Develop the textures of the trees and the ground, using dry brush techniques to create a sense of depth.
- step 05
Refine the details of the child's figure, focusing on the anatomy and proportions.
- step 06
Add the details of the troll's clothing and jewelry.
- step 07
Paint the small flower the troll is holding, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and atmospheric image.
color palette
primary · brown · beige · grey · pale green
secondary · red · gold · blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or grey to desaturate the hues. Use thin washes of color to build up depth and create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·color mixing
- ·figure drawing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
- ·palette
- ·water container
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·ruler
- ·palette knife
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple layers of washes. Experiment with different brush sizes and techniques to achieve the desired textures.
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