plate no. 7154
Houses and People
Istvan Ilosvai Varga, 1972
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and color mixing to create a sense of atmosphere and form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background and sky.
- step 03
Build up layers of color, adding more detail and definition to the buildings and figures.
- step 04
Use thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
- step 05
Pay attention to the light and shadow, adding highlights and darks to create depth.
- step 06
Refine the details, such as the windows, doors, and clothing.
- step 07
Add final touches and adjustments to balance the composition and colors.
- step 08
Allow to dry and varnish if desired.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · raw umber
Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Add small amounts of cadmium red to the burnt sienna to create the red figures.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Failing to simplify the complex scene into basic shapes and colors.
- →Not paying attention to the light and shadow, resulting in a flat image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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