apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·No Tidings from the Sea
No Tidings from the Sea by Frank Holl

plate no. 5910

No Tidings from the Sea

Frank Holl, 1870

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfiguresinteriorfamilysorrowlanternshoes
experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures with emotion and creating depth through atmospheric perspective and subtle value changes. It also provides practice in depicting realistic textures and details within a dimly lit interior.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and key objects.

  2. step 02

    Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of color.

  3. step 03

    Begin refining the figures, paying attention to their anatomy, clothing, and facial expressions.

  4. step 04

    Develop the background and surrounding environment, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.

  5. step 05

    Add details such as the lantern, shoes, and other objects to enhance the realism of the scene.

  6. step 06

    Refine the lighting and shadows to create a sense of drama and mood.

  7. step 07

    Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious effect.

  8. step 08

    Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or crimson. Use glazes to build up depth and subtle color variations.

techniques

  • ·underpainting
  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·chiaroscuro
  • ·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

  • →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
  • →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
  • →Not paying enough attention to the proportions and anatomy of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas 18x24
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·raw sienna oil paint
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·easel

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with gesso before painting.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Portrait of James Wright

Portrait of James Wright

Thomas Eakins

Portrait of a lady

Portrait of a lady

Karl Gussow

Sisters

Sisters

Émile Auguste Hublin

Catching Up on the News

Catching Up on the News

Eastman Johnson

At the porter's room

At the porter's room

Vladimir Makovsky

Flowers and Fruit

Flowers and Fruit

Henri Fantin-Latour

Valle de México desde el Molino del Rey

Valle de México desde el Molino del Rey

Jose Maria Velasco

Self-Portrait II

Self-Portrait II

Mihaly Munkacsy