plate no. 6312
Motherless
Luke Fildes, 1914
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing human emotion through posture and gesture, as well as mastering the use of a limited palette to create a somber mood. Students will also learn to suggest details rather than rendering them precisely.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the chair.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes of dark browns and grays.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Begin to refine the details of the faces and hands, using subtle variations in tone.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing and chair, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Create the table and objects on it with soft edges.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Achieve the skin tones by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use ivory black to darken the browns and create shadows. Add a touch of cadmium red light for warmth in the skin tones.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too much color and creating a painting that is too bright and cheerful.
- →Failing to capture the emotion of the scene.
- →Not paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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