plate no. 8246
Mother Hubbard
Briton Riviere, 1882
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures and animals, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere using value and color.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, dog, and door.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and dog with simplified colors and values.
- step 04
Begin refining the details of the figure's face and clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the form of the dog, focusing on the anatomy and fur texture.
- step 06
Add details to the door and floor, creating a sense of depth and space.
- step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, burnt sienna, and a touch of yellow ochre. The dark clothing is a mix of ivory black and raw umber. Use ultramarine blue and white for the blue accents.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure and dog incorrect.
- →Making the background too flat and lifeless.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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