plate no. 9240

Old Parents Visiting the Grave of Their Son

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfigurescemeterylandscapetreesskygrave

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in somber lighting and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures of clothing and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, grave, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, ground, and figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in hue and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the figures' clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 05
Add the details of the grave, trees, and foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, paying attention to the direction and intensity of the light source.
step 07
Add final details, such as the birds in the tree and the texture of the ground.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create depth.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to adjust the value. The sky is a mix of white, blue, and a touch of yellow ochre. The ground uses a mix of browns, greens, and yellows.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags

optional

·medium gloss
·retouch varnish
·easel

Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for both smooth blending and textured brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.

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