plate no. 1057

Risky society

oilNorthern Renaissancegenre paintingfiguresinteriortableclothingarchitecturedrinking

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering complex textures of clothing and objects. The painting also requires careful attention to composition and creating depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin to develop the values and forms of the figures, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Add details to the faces, clothing, and objects, gradually building up the layers of paint.
step 05
Refine the edges and contours of the forms to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 06
Pay attention to the background details, such as the figures in the doorway and the architecture.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of drama and contrast.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · red ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of skin tones using red ochre, yellow ochre, and white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows and cool tones. Mix red ochre and burnt umber to create the reds of the clothing.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Not paying enough attention to the light source.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (red ochre, ultramarine blue, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife