plate no. 2363
Night
Simeon Solomon, 1890
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice subtle blending techniques for skin tones and develop an understanding of atmospheric perspective. It also provides an opportunity to study the use of limited color palettes to create mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic outline of the figure, paying attention to proportions and the angle of the head.
- step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, blending it smoothly.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, neck, and drapery with light and dark values.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, focusing on subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Add details to the hair and flowers, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and value to suggest depth.
- step 07
Add the small stars in the background.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson
Mix ivory black and raw umber for the dark background and drapery. Use yellow ochre, titanium white, and a touch of burnt sienna for the skin tones. Add alizarin crimson to the burnt sienna for the flowers.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overblending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Using too much white, making the skin tones appear chalky.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value, leading to a lack of depth.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the figure and the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 filbert brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will make blending easier.
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