plate no. 1341
On the balcony
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a natural setting and understanding atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in capturing light and shadow on different surfaces.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the balcony.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, such as the sky, the wall, and the figures' clothing.
- step 03
Develop the sky with soft, blended brushstrokes, creating a sense of depth.
- step 04
Refine the shapes and values of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the balcony and plants, using smaller brushes.
- step 06
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships.
- step 07
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Let dry and varnish.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and ivory black with white. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the sky tones. Mix cadmium red with white and a touch of yellow ochre for the red clothing.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figures.
- →Lack of attention to value relationships.
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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