plate no. 9655
My Grandmother
Jozsef Rippl-Ronai, 1894
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and understanding how to depict form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating a simple, yet effective, composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, chair, and background elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background.
- step 03
Establish the basic values for the figure's dress and the chair.
- step 04
Refine the shapes and values of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the dress.
- step 05
Add details to the face, hands, and other features.
- step 06
Work on the details of the chair and the background objects.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and values to create a cohesive image.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
color palette
primary · olive green · brown · ochre
secondary · black · yellow
Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, black, and a touch of blue. The browns are created by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use white to lighten values.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·value studies
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle value changes.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the overall color harmony.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (olive green, brown, yellow ochre, black, titanium white)
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Rags
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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