plate no. 0283
No Where to Go
William Balthazar Rose, 2011
some experience helpful
This painting helps develop skills in simplified figure painting and creating a moody atmosphere with a limited color palette. Students can learn to suggest form with visible brushstrokes and subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures, focusing on proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color, leaving space for the figures.
- step 03
Apply the base color for the seated figure, focusing on the overall form.
- step 04
Add the base colors for the other figures, differentiating between the chefs' whites and the blue of the figure carrying the other.
- step 05
Begin adding shadows and highlights to define the forms, using visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, keeping the style simple and expressive.
- step 07
Add the subtle details to the background and foreground to create depth.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve the desired mood.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Mix raw umber and white for the background. Use yellow ochre with a touch of umber for the seated figure. Mix ultramarine blue and umber for the blue figure. Use white with small amounts of umber and sienna for the chef's whites.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, losing the expressive brushstrokes.
- →Using too many colors, creating a less cohesive palette.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes that create form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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