plate no. 4066

Roundelay

Candido Portinari, 1932

oilExpressionismgenre paintingchildrenvillagefigureslandscapebuildingssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, composition, and creating a sense of depth using color and value. It also encourages expressive brushwork and capturing a mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the circle of children, the hill, and the buildings.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic perspective of the village.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color: the ground, the sky, and the hill.
step 04
Start adding details to the buildings, focusing on their shapes and positions.
step 05
Begin painting the figures, starting with the largest and most central ones.
step 06
Pay attention to the light and shadow on the figures to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add details to the clothing and facial features, keeping the brushstrokes loose and expressive.
step 08
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix raw umber and white for the ground and hill. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of raw umber for the clouds. Mix burnt sienna and cadmium red for the roofs of the buildings.

techniques