apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·In the sun
In the sun by Vincenzo Cabianca

plate no. 1236

In the sun

Vincenzo Cabianca, 1866

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfigureslandscapeskywallclothingocean
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, color mixing for realistic skin tones and fabrics, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.

  2. step 02

    Block in the large areas of color: sky, ground, wall, and the main colors of the dresses.

  3. step 03

    Begin refining the shapes of the figures, paying attention to the folds and drapery of the clothing.

  4. step 04

    Mix and apply the skin tones, using subtle variations to create form and dimension.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the faces, hands, and other features.

  6. step 06

    Paint the background elements, such as the sky, ocean, and distant figure, using lighter values and softer edges to create atmospheric perspective.

  7. step 07

    Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

  8. step 08

    Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix browns and grays by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and white, adjusting the ratios for different complexions.

techniques

  • ·figure drawing
  • ·color mixing
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details too early.
  • →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
  • →Ignoring the importance of value in creating form.
  • →Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·cadmium red oil paint
  • ·ultramarine blue oil paint
  • ·#4 round brush
  • ·#6 flat brush

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·turpentine

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Portrait of James Wright

Portrait of James Wright

Thomas Eakins

Portrait of a lady

Portrait of a lady

Karl Gussow

Sisters

Sisters

Émile Auguste Hublin

Catching Up on the News

Catching Up on the News

Eastman Johnson

At the porter's room

At the porter's room

Vladimir Makovsky

Flowers and Fruit

Flowers and Fruit

Henri Fantin-Latour

Valle de México desde el Molino del Rey

Valle de México desde el Molino del Rey

Jose Maria Velasco

Self-Portrait II

Self-Portrait II

Mihaly Munkacsy