plate no. 5339

Man from Kiripolca

Martin Benka, 1910

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurefencebuildingtreesclothingshadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes and capturing light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in depicting textures, such as the rough wood of the fence.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, fence, door, and background foliage.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted raw sienna or yellow ochre to the entire paper as a base tone.
step 03
Begin with the background, using diluted blues and greens for the foliage, allowing colors to blend on the paper.
step 04
Paint the fence using a mix of grays and browns, varying the water-to-pigment ratio to create different values and textures.
step 05
Mix a neutral gray for the figure's clothing, using multiple layers to build up shadows and form.
step 06
Add details to the figure, such as the red trim on the coat and the features of the face, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Paint the shadow cast by the figure using a darker gray or brown.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red light · sap green

Mix grays by combining ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Vary the ratio to create warm and cool grays. Use diluted raw sienna for warm highlights and general washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·value control

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Using too much water, causing the paper to buckle.
→Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding subsequent washes.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (raw sienna, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red light, sap green)
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Palette
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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