plate no. 0196
Paddock a Deauville
Emilio Grau Sala, 1962
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose, expressive brushwork and color mixing to create atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, figures, and horses, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish a light underpainting with diluted washes of color to define the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin blocking in the larger areas of color, such as the sky, grass, and building facades, using broad brushstrokes.
- step 04
Develop the details of the figures and horses, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
- step 05
Add texture and interest to the foliage and architectural elements using broken color and varied brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the composition by adjusting the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the flag and the highlights on the figures and horses.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cerulean blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre with ultramarine blue and white. Create the various browns by combining burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, and yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and uninteresting painting.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, leading to a harsh and unnatural palette.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges and allowing the forms to blend together too much.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·apron
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the broken color effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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