plate no. 4361
In the sauna
Pekka Halonen, 1925
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting the human form in a limited palette and understanding how to create a sense of depth and space using value and color temperature.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures and objects.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 03
Focus on accurately capturing the proportions and anatomy of the figures.
- step 04
Develop the background and surrounding objects, paying attention to their relationship to the figures.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figures, including the facial features and musculature.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Use broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and atmosphere.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix raw umber and white for the cooler grays. Burnt sienna and white create the skin tones, adjusting with small amounts of yellow ochre or ultramarine blue to modify the temperature.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the figures.
- →Using too much color and losing the muted, earthy tones.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value that create depth and form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion and blending.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
