plate no. 5357
Holger Drachman
Peder Severin Kroyer, 1895
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with loose brushstrokes and mixing subtle color variations to create a sense of atmosphere. It also provides practice in portraiture and depicting textures like fabric and wood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the boat.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the sky and sea, then the sand and the figure's clothing.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the figure's clothing and the boat.
- step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and details of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and clothing.
- step 05
Add details to the boat, capturing the texture of the wood.
- step 06
Refine the sky and sea, adding subtle color variations and details.
- step 07
Add highlights to the figure and the boat to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
Achieve the subtle grays and blues of the sky and sea by mixing ultramarine blue, titanium white, and a touch of raw umber. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the sand and the figure's skin.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the sky and sea.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ivory black)
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paints.
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