plate no. 4005
Jaroslav Čermák
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere in a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
- step 02
Establish the background landscape with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color and value.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to proportions and anatomy.
- step 04
Start building up the skin tones with thin layers of paint, using a limited palette.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
- step 06
Refine the facial features and expressions, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 07
Add details to the surrounding foliage and architectural elements.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · alizarin crimson
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and umber. Greens are created by mixing blue and yellow, with umber added to darken and dull the color.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·figure drawing
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and making them look muddy.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended for beginners.
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