plate no. 2882
Making Cheese
Ivan Generalić, 1943
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in rendering a realistic interior scene with a focus on accurate proportions and creating depth through layering. Students can learn to mix muted colors and create texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figure and objects.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes with diluted washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin to build up the details of the figure, starting with the face and hands.
- step 04
Add details to the background objects, such as the shelves, clock, and crucifix.
- step 05
Develop the textures of the clothing, furniture, and walls using visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights on the walls and furniture.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Making the colors too bright or saturated.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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