plate no. 4519

Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver and his Parrot

oilRealismillustrationfiguresinteriorbirdcagepipetableparrot

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use a limited palette to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in rendering figures in dynamic poses and capturing realistic lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the highlights and shadows using thicker paint.
step 04
Focus on accurately rendering the skin tones and clothing of the figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the faces and hands, capturing the expressions and gestures of the figures.
step 06
Paint the background and surrounding objects, using a looser brushstroke to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add the birdcage and parrot, paying attention to the details of the cage and the colors of the bird.
step 08
Refine the painting by adding highlights, shadows, and details as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix burnt umber and yellow ochre for warm browns and tans. Add white to lighten values and create highlights. Use ivory black sparingly to darken shadows.

techniques