plate no. 5989
Overlooking a Canal, Venice
Luigi Da Rios, 1886
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle expressions and skin tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in a cityscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the main architectural elements.
- step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the muted tones and atmospheric perspective.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes and colors of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and gestures.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, using subtle variations to create depth and realism.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing and accessories, paying attention to the folds and textures.
- step 06
Refine the architectural details, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add final details to the faces, focusing on capturing the expressions and individual characteristics.
- step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ivory black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or raw umber. Skin tones are built up with layers of red, yellow, and brown, subtly adjusted with blue or green.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle expressions of the figures.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, making the background appear too sharp and detailed.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated, disrupting the overall harmony of the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
- ·mahl stick
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grit canvas for optimal texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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