plate no. 4592
Kitchen at Mount Vernon
Eastman Johnson, 1857
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering light and shadow in a low-key environment and practice creating form with loose, expressive brushstrokes. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth and atmosphere using color temperature and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main architectural elements.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, paying attention to the warm and cool tones.
- step 04
Develop the details of the figures, using small, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the lighting and shadows, adding highlights and deepening the dark areas.
- step 06
Add texture to the walls and floor with dry brush techniques.
- step 07
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create depth.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red light
Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna. Use ivory black to create shadows and cool tones. Mix yellow ochre and titanium white for highlights.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·glazing
- ·tonal painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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