plate no. 6935
Onions
Hans Heysen, 1927
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures and creating depth through subtle value changes. It's a good exercise in observing and painting tonal variations in a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the onions, bottle, and bowl.
- step 02
Establish the dark background and the lighter area on the right, creating the overall value structure.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the onions, bottle, and bowl using thin washes of paint.
- step 04
Begin adding layers of color to build up the form and volume of each object, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Refine the details of the onion skins, the bottle's reflections, and the texture of the bowl.
- step 06
Add the subtle details of the table surface and the surrounding elements.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red (small amount)
Achieve the onion skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and yellow ochre with varying amounts of white. Use ivory black to darken the shadows and create the dark background. A touch of cadmium red can add warmth to the onions.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·cadmium red oil paint
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for better detail rendering. Consider using a toned ground (e.g., raw umber) to help establish the initial value structure.
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