plate no. 0647

Reading the Newspaper. War News

Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky, 1905

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguresinteriornewspapergrouplightreading

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a dimly lit interior and capturing realistic skin tones using a limited palette. It also provides practice in creating a focal point through light and composition.

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 figures and the light source.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and the interior with darker tones.
step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones, paying attention to the direction of the light.
step 05
Develop the skin tones by mixing various shades of ochre, sienna, and white.
step 06
Add details to the faces and clothing, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details, such as the texture of the wood and the lettering on the newspaper.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with burnt umber and white. Use small amounts of blue or red to adjust the temperature of the browns.

techniques