plate no. 4755
Ninos
Rufino Tamayo, 1924
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified figure drawing and color mixing to achieve muted, earthy tones. It also encourages observation of subtle value changes within seemingly flat areas.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figures and the landscape.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, hill, and ground.
- step 03
Add the base colors for the figures' clothing and skin tones.
- step 04
Begin to define the shapes of the figures with darker and lighter values.
- step 05
Add details like the hair, facial features, and the flowers.
- step 06
Refine the background with subtle color variations.
- step 07
Add final touches to the figures, such as shadows and highlights.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · sap green
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and raw umber for the figures' skin tones. Create muted greens by mixing sap green with raw umber and a touch of white. The sky is a mix of white, ultramarine blue, and a tiny amount of raw umber.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·simplified shapes
- ·limited palette
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to capture the subtle value changes within the flat areas.
- →Incorrect proportions in the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
A slightly textured canvas will enhance the dry brush effect. Acrylics will dry faster, allowing for quicker layering.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Dolly Sisters
Kees van Dongen
Nude with Loaves
Jean Helion
My Father
Carlos Botelho
Helen
Chronis Botsoglou
The portrait painter in the country
Albin Egger-Lienz
Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague
Maria Bozoky
Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city
Paul Werner
Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)
James Ensor