plate no. 7018
Poet With Flower
Stefan Caltia, 2008
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing expressive brushwork to define textures and forms. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in seemingly monochromatic scenes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main landscape elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, ground, and the figure's dress, using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering colors to create the atmospheric perspective in the background, using lighter values for distant elements.
- step 04
Develop the details of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and clothing.
- step 05
Add the details of the trees, using a fine brush to create the delicate branches.
- step 06
Introduce the flower and the wing, focusing on their texture and form.
- step 07
Refine the ground area, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
- step 08
Add the snow effect with small white dots and dashes using a fine brush or a spattering technique.
color palette
primary · grey · green · black · white
secondary · red · pink · blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or grey. The green is a mix of blue and yellow with a touch of brown or black to dull it down.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, losing the muted atmosphere.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the seemingly monochromatic areas.
- →Not creating enough depth in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (small and medium)
- ·Flat brushes (small and medium)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Use a canvas with a smooth surface to allow for detailed brushwork. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the base color.
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