plate no. 6928

Playing with the chicks

Carl von Bergen, 1912

oil, canvasAcademicismgenre paintinggirlchickensgrassgardenfigureanimals

some experience helpful

This painting helps students develop skills in rendering figures in natural light and creating depth through layering and color variation in the grass. Students can also practice painting realistic textures of skin, fabric, and feathers.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the girl, chickens, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the sky, grass, girl's skin and clothing, and chickens.
step 03
Develop the values and colors of the grass, using layers of greens, yellows, and browns to create depth and texture.
step 04
Refine the girl's features and clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow on her face and the folds in her dress.
step 05
Add details to the chickens, focusing on their shapes, colors, and textures.
step 06
Paint the background elements, such as the house and flowers, using soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and realistic painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · raw sienna

Mix various greens by combining sap green, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Create skin tones by blending titanium white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red. Use burnt umber and white to create the browns and grays for the chickens.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the grass, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone, making the figure look unnatural.
→Ignoring the light and shadow, resulting in a lack of depth and dimension.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and values.