plate no. 9339
Rauchender Mohr (Kassensturz)
Wilhelm Trübner, 1873
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and mood using a limited color palette. Students can learn to create depth and form through subtle value changes and layering.
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 shapes and proportions of the figure and the table with light pencil lines.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red and orange hues.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure with dark browns and blacks, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
- step 05
Develop the details of the hands and the object on the table, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and clothing.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust values.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · cadmium red · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white
Mix browns and blacks for the figure, using red to warm the shadows. Use white to create highlights and subtle variations in the skin tones. Mix red with umber to create the background.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a canvas with a smooth texture for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to start with a mid-value ground.
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