plate no. 6796
Les trois frères
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, animal anatomy, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures and subtle color variations in skin tones and animal fur.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and donkey.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
- step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the values, focusing on the areas of greatest contrast.
- step 04
Work on the details of the faces, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 05
Develop the textures of the donkey's fur and the clothing of the figures.
- step 06
Refine the background, using soft edges and muted colors to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism of the painting.
- step 08
Let dry and add a varnish layer.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw sienna
Mix various browns and grays by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to warm the skin tones and fur.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, yellow ochre, raw sienna)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grain canvas will provide a good surface for capturing the textures in the painting.
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