plate no. 6972
Repos de Vagabonds
Theophile Steinlen, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal shading and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the human form in a simple, expressive way.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figures, the tree, and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the composition, focusing on the figures and the base of the tree.
- step 03
Begin to build up the mid-tones in the sky and landscape, using light, feathery strokes.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, paying attention to the folds in their clothing and the contours of their faces.
- step 05
Refine the tree branches and leaves, using a variety of stroke weights to create texture.
- step 06
Develop the atmospheric perspective by gradually lightening the tones as they recede into the distance.
- step 07
Add final highlights to create a sense of light and depth.
- step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the values and details.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber
secondary · payne's gray · titanium white
Mix ivory black and raw umber to create a range of dark, muted tones. Use titanium white to create lighter values and highlights. Payne's gray can be added to darken the shadows.
techniques
- ·tonal shading
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·hatching
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft, blended tones.
- →Failing to establish a strong value contrast.
- →Making the distant landscape too dark or detailed.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 filbert brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
A smooth canvas surface will be ideal for achieving the subtle tonal gradations in this painting. Consider using a toned canvas to start with a mid-tone value.
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