plate no. 9693

Sacrificing Dolls

oilSymbolismgenre paintingfigureslandscapetreesritualdollssmoke

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in classical poses and creating atmospheric perspective with muted colors. It also provides practice in depicting complex scenes with multiple focal points.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background landscape with thin washes of color, creating depth through atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main figures with simplified shapes and values, paying attention to proportions.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and details of the figures' clothing, using subtle color variations.
step 05
Add details to the faces and hands, capturing the expressions and gestures of the figures.
step 06
Paint the surrounding environment, including the trees, tent, and other objects, using a loose and expressive brushstroke.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows, creating a sense of depth and volume.
step 08
Add final details, such as the smoke, dolls, and other small objects, to complete the scene.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted, earthy tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of secondary colors. Use glazes of thinned paint to create subtle color variations and atmospheric effects.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing
·drapery rendering

common pitfalls

→overworking the details
→losing the overall composition
→inaccurate proportions of figures
→flat or lifeless color palette

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife

optional

·retouch varnish
·painting medium
·easel

Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for both smooth blending and textural brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to achieve a harmonious color scheme.

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