plate no. 2236
Les presage de la guerre
Felix Labisse, 1940
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures, trees, and the background elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the ground.
- step 03
Develop the figures, paying attention to the drapery and the subtle shading.
- step 04
Add details to the trees, including the branches and the leaves.
- step 05
Refine the background elements, such as the scrolls and the distant figures.
- step 06
Add the smaller details, like the candle, the sword, and the red threads.
- step 07
Adjust the values and the colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the forms.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Burnt umber · Titanium white
secondary · Cadmium red · Yellow ochre
Mix blues and whites for the sky, umbers and ochres for the ground, and reds and umbers for the drapery. Use white to create highlights and add depth to colors.
techniques
- ·Layering
- ·Blending
- ·Glazing
- ·Scumbling
- ·Dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Not establishing a clear value structure
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations
- →Getting lost in the complexity of the composition
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
- ·Easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Oil paints will provide richer colors and blending, but acrylics are faster drying.
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