plate no. 1722
In a surgery
Istvan Nagy, 1916
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with visible strokes and capturing likeness with simplified forms. It also encourages expressive use of color to convey mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with broad strokes of color.
- step 03
Begin layering colors, focusing on the skin tones and clothing.
- step 04
Use short, directional strokes to build up texture and form.
- step 05
Pay attention to the negative space around the figures to refine their shapes.
- step 06
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes and mouth, using darker colors.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the colors and values as needed.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for skin tones. Use sap green and yellow ochre for the clothing. Add small amounts of red and blue to create shadows and depth.
techniques
- ·cross-hatching
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
- ·broken color
- ·expressive mark-making
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the colors and losing the freshness of the strokes.
- →Failing to capture the proportions and likeness of the figures.
- →Ignoring the negative space and creating a flat composition.
- →Using too much detail and losing the overall impression.
- →Not creating enough contrast in values.
materials
surface · toned paper or sketchbook
required
- ·oil pastels or colored pencils
- ·sketchbook or paper
- ·eraser
- ·pencil
- ·fixative spray
- ·palette (if using oil pastels)
optional
- ·blending stumps
- ·tortillions
- ·kneaded eraser
Using toned paper can help to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Experiment with different types of paper to find one that works best for you.
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