plate no. 1014

Olga and Kolya on the Steps

Konstantin Makovsky, 1907

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfigureslandscapetreesbenchparkreading

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice capturing light and shadow in a natural setting and rendering figures in a relaxed, informal pose. Students can develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in greens and yellows.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, bench, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the sky, trees, grass, figures' clothing, and the bench.
step 03
Develop the background trees, using layers of greens, browns, and yellows to create depth and texture.
step 04
Refine the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow on their faces and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the bench and surrounding area, such as the texture of the wood and the grass.
step 06
Mix and apply highlights to capture the sunlight filtering through the trees.
step 07
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.
step 08
Varnish the painting after it is completely dry.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create darker tones for shadows. Mix alizarin crimson and titanium white for the reddish hues in the figures' clothing.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of light and shadow.
→Getting lost in details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·#4 round brush
·#8 flat brush
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·oil paints (yellow ochre, sap green, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson)