plate no. 1745

Lead Processing at Leadhills. Washing the Ore

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfiguresinteriorwoodindustrytoolsore

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to create depth using color and value. It also provides practice in rendering figures in a realistic, albeit stylized, manner.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the major shapes and figures, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of color, focusing on the light coming through the doorway.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the walls, floor, and figures, using a limited palette.
step 04
Develop the figures, adding details to their clothing and faces, and refining their poses.
step 05
Add the details of the wooden structure, using darker values to create depth and texture.
step 06
Paint the ore and tools, focusing on their shapes and textures.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · Prussian blue · cadmium green light · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of the secondary colors. Use raw umber and white for the wooden structures, and add touches of yellow ochre for warmth.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective wrong on the wooden structure.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of light and atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·raw umber oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·Prussian blue oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·easel

Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for easier blending and glazing. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before starting.

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