plate no. 9483

Newgate, Committed for Trial

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfiguresprisonbarsfamilyinteriorclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, capturing realistic light and shadow, and creating a somber, emotional atmosphere. It also provides practice in depicting different textures of clothing and skin.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement and proportions of the figures and the prison bars.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin to refine the figures, focusing on accurate anatomy and facial expressions.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, using subtle color variations and brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Paint the prison bars, paying attention to their perspective and the way they interact with the figures.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the background and foreground, adding details to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and compelling image.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · Prussian blue · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining the primary colors. Use small amounts of blue and red to create subtle color variations in the clothing and skin tones.

techniques

·grisaille underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of figures.
→Overly bright or saturated colors.
→Inaccurate perspective of the prison bars.
→Lack of attention to detail in the clothing and facial expressions.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, Prussian blue, burnt sienna, cadmium red light)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife