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home·artworks·Palm seller, scene of city life
Palm seller, scene of city life by Alexandre Antigna

plate no. 7780

Palm seller, scene of city life

Alexandre Antigna, 1866

oilNaturalismgenre paintingfigurewallflowersdresscity lifeshadow
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures using hatching and cross-hatching techniques, and understanding light and shadow to create depth.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and placement within the scene.

  2. step 02

    Outline the main shapes of the figure, wall, and flowers.

  3. step 03

    Begin adding the darkest values using hatching and cross-hatching, concentrating on areas of shadow and detail.

  4. step 04

    Gradually build up the mid-tones by adding more layers of hatching, varying the density and direction of the lines.

  5. step 05

    Use lighter hatching to create highlights and areas of reflected light.

  6. step 06

    Pay close attention to the textures of the wall, clothing, and flowers, using different hatching techniques to represent each.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details of the face and hands, using delicate lines to capture the expression and form.

  8. step 08

    Add final touches and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · black · white · gray

secondary ·

This is a monochromatic painting, so focus on varying the tones of gray by controlling the density and layering of your hatching.

techniques

  • ·hatching
  • ·cross-hatching
  • ·value gradation
  • ·texture rendering
  • ·line weight variation

common pitfalls

  • →Creating overly uniform hatching, which can flatten the image.
  • →Failing to vary the line weight, which can make the drawing appear lifeless.
  • →Ignoring the direction of light, which can result in inconsistent shadows.
  • →Overworking certain areas, which can make them appear muddy or overworked.

materials

surface · Smooth drawing paper

required

  • ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
  • ·Eraser
  • ·Smooth drawing paper
  • ·Ruler
  • ·Pencil sharpener
  • ·Blending stump

optional

  • ·Kneaded eraser
  • ·Tortillon
  • ·Sandpaper block

Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. Experiment with different hatching techniques to create various textures.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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