plate no. 7641
On stage / Open air performance
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and capturing the essence of figures with loose brushwork. It's also good practice for creating depth using color and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the stage, figures, and audience.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background, stage backdrop, and main colors of the figures' clothing.
- step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and forms of the stage and figures.
- step 04
Introduce the secondary colors to add depth and interest to the background and stage.
- step 05
Refine the shapes of the figures and add details to their clothing and faces with small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Create the impression of the audience using simple shapes and colors, focusing on capturing the overall feeling rather than individual details.
- step 07
Add highlights to the figures and stage to create a sense of light and dimension.
- step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, and value.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · sap green
Mix yellow ochre with white for the stage backdrop. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker tones in the background and shadows. Mix white with cadmium red for the pink shirt.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·simplification
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details of the figures and audience.
- →Creating too much contrast, which can flatten the image.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, which can make the painting look unnatural.
- →Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on individual elements.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red, titanium white, sap green)
- ·Round brushes (#2, #6, #8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Easel
- ·Medium (Liquin)
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paints.
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