plate no. 3261
Mother and baby
George Elgar Hicks, 1878
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice capturing light and shadow on skin tones and drapery using loose brushstrokes. Students can also develop their skills in depicting realistic figures and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the window.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and areas of shadow with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the major color areas: skin tones, clothing, and background.
- step 04
Begin layering paint, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in skin tone and the folds of the drapery.
- step 05
Add details to the face, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
- step 06
Refine the background and the window, creating a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · ivory black
Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker tones in the shadows. Add small amounts of ivory black to darken colors further.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) to allow for sufficient detail. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
