plate no. 7348
Las indias
Armando Reveron, 1947
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive mark-making and capturing light and shadow with loose, gestural strokes. It also encourages experimentation with color layering and creating depth through varied line weights.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures with charcoal.
- step 02
Establish the overall composition and placement of the figures.
- step 03
Begin layering in the background tones with soft pastels, focusing on creating depth.
- step 04
Add the darker values to define the forms and create contrast.
- step 05
Introduce the primary colors, focusing on the faces and headdresses.
- step 06
Layer in secondary colors to add complexity and visual interest.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of form.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · gray · white · black · orange
secondary · purple · green · blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors with gray or white. Use layering to create depth and visual texture.
techniques
- ·expressive mark-making
- ·color layering
- ·gestural drawing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-blending.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Neglecting the background and its impact on the overall composition.
materials
surface · pastel paper
required
- ·charcoal pencils
- ·soft pastels
- ·pastel paper
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·fixative spray
- ·drawing board
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·palette knife
- ·workable fixative
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to grip the pastels well. Consider using a toned paper to establish a base color.
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