plate no. 9673
In the queue for bread. First World War.
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a crowd and using value to create depth and form. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and positions of the figures, focusing on their relative sizes and placement.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general slope of the ground.
- step 03
Begin blocking in the darkest areas of the painting, paying attention to the shadows on the figures and the ground.
- step 04
Gradually add lighter values, building up the forms of the figures and their clothing.
- step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the clothing and the snow.
- step 06
Refine the details of the figures' faces and hands, using subtle variations in value.
- step 07
Add highlights to the figures and the snow to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive and expressive image.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · raw umber · payne's gray
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white in different proportions. Add small amounts of raw umber or payne's gray to create warmer or cooler tones.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Creating flat, lifeless figures by not paying attention to value variations.
- →Making the composition too cluttered by adding too many unnecessary details.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
A toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of raw umber) can be helpful for establishing the initial values.
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