plate no. 0079

Oriental scene

oil, canvasRomanticismgenre paintingfiguresarchitecturearchwaynightorientalclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for atmospheric perspective, and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It's a good exercise in suggestive painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the archway and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the dark background and the light source (lamp) with broad strokes.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the archway and figures, using a limited palette.
step 04
Add layers of color to the archway, building up texture and detail with visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Define the figures' clothing with short, broken strokes of color, suggesting folds and patterns.
step 06
Refine the light and shadow on the figures, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
step 07
Add small details like the turbans and facial features, keeping them loose and suggestive.
step 08
Adjust the overall composition and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Add small amounts of blue or green to create cooler tones for shadows. Use alizarin crimson to create the reds and pinks in the figures' clothing.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·alla prima
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Making the figures too stiff and static.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, viridian green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags