plate no. 8086
Marché
Emilio Grau Sala, 1965
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the market stall, figures, and background.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes of color, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 03
Start building up layers of color, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to define forms.
- step 04
Pay attention to the color variations within each area, mixing slightly different hues to create depth.
- step 05
Add details to the figures and produce, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the edges and shapes, softening some and sharpening others to create visual interest.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · viridian green · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors (e.g., red to green). Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and visible brushstrokes. Consider toning the canvas with a neutral color before starting to paint.
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