plate no. 8686
In a split second
Hanno Karlhuber, 1989
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and reflections, as well as understanding how to depict transparent objects and broken glass.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the glasses, speaker, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the background sky with varying shades of blue, creating a subtle gradient.
- step 03
Paint the speaker using a mix of green and blue, paying attention to the vertical brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add the reflections on the table surface, using darker shades of blue and green.
- step 05
Carefully paint the glasses, using lighter blues and greens to create the illusion of transparency.
- step 06
Add the details of the broken glass, using bright yellow-green highlights to emphasize the sharp edges.
- step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches to the reflections and highlights.
- step 08
Let it dry and add a varnish
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · viridian green · yellow ochre
secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue
Mix cerulean blue and white for the sky. Use viridian green with yellow ochre and a touch of blue for the speaker. Create transparent effects by layering diluted washes of color.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·rendering transparency
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details of the broken glass, making it look cluttered.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of transparency in the glasses.
- →Not capturing the subtle variations in the blue background.
- →Making the reflections too dark or too light.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Thin the paints with linseed oil to create transparent glazes.
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