plate no. 7924
Humoresque
John French Sloan, 1915
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice broken color techniques and capturing light on varied surfaces. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and color blocks.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the rock formations, the horizon line, and the large tree mass.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-violet wash.
- step 03
Establish the basic colors of the rocks using a mix of purples, blues, and whites, varying the tones to suggest form.
- step 04
Paint the green areas with different shades of green, adding touches of yellow and brown for variation.
- step 05
Add the figures using simplified shapes and colors.
- step 06
Develop the details of the tree, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows on the rocks to enhance the sense of depth.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious balance.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green
Mix blues and reds for the purplish rocks, add white to lighten. Use yellow ochre and blue for muted greens. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to greens and blues to create depth and shadow.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing on the palette.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the rocks and foliage.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use good quality oil paints for best results. A medium-textured canvas will help to create a more textured effect.
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