plate no. 0396
In Dog Days
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes and simplifying complex scenes into essential shapes and colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figures, posts, horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, sand, using thin washes.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the figures' swimsuits and the shadows on the posts.
- step 04
Build up the texture of the sand and water with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add details to the figures, focusing on capturing their gestures and poses.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the effects of light and shadow.
- step 07
Add highlights to the water and sand to create a sense of depth.
- step 08
Review and adjust the composition as needed.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · sap green
Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and water. Use yellow ochre and white for the sand, adding touches of burnt umber for shadows. Mix red and yellow for the figures' skin tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not capturing the movement and energy of the scene.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
