plate no. 5923
On the Porch
John Steuart Curry, 1926
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and creating realistic skin tones with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in depicting textures like wood and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, paying attention to proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figures' clothing.
- step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, using a limited palette and layering colors to create depth.
- step 04
Add details to the faces, focusing on capturing the expressions and features.
- step 05
Work on the details of the clothing, chair, and doll, adding shadows and highlights to create form.
- step 06
Paint the wooden porch floor and walls, paying attention to the direction of the wood grain.
- step 07
Add the final details, such as the knitting yarn and the texture of the fabric.
- step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix browns and reds with white to create skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the headscarf. Mix browns and yellows for the wood tones.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the figures
- →Muddy skin tones
- →Overworking the details
- →Ignoring the light source
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#10 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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