plate no. 0003
Rêverie
Robert Brackman, 1957
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones, capturing the textures of various objects, and creating a cohesive composition with multiple elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the figure and still life elements.
- step 02
Establish the background color and general lighting.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure, including skin tones and clothing.
- step 04
Begin layering the still life elements, focusing on accurate color and value relationships.
- step 05
Develop the details of the flowers, fruit, and violin, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Refine the figure's features and clothing folds.
- step 07
Add details to the background, including the pictures on the wall.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color harmony.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian · alizarin crimson · ivory black
Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or green for shadows. Create muted greens by mixing yellow and blue with a touch of brown. Use glazes of alizarin crimson for the reds in the flowers and fruit.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·color mixing
- ·rendering form
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
- →Ignoring value relationships and creating a flat image.
- →Getting lost in details before establishing the overall composition.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the figure or still life elements.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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