plate no. 1131
Pluckmakers
Mihaly Munkacsy, 1871
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a burnt umber wash.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the main figures and the basic composition using charcoal or a thin wash of paint.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes and areas of dark and light, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin to refine the figures, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value that define their forms.
- step 05
Add details to the faces and hands, using small brushes and careful observation.
- step 06
Develop the background, keeping it dark and indistinct to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add highlights to the figures and objects to create a focal point.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and add depth.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Achieve the dark, muted tones by mixing burnt umber, raw umber, and ivory black. Use small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red light to add warmth to the skin tones and highlights.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Making the values too light and losing the dramatic contrast.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
A pre-toned canvas with a burnt umber wash will help to establish the dark, warm tones of the painting.
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