plate no. 7665
Schoolgirls at Play
Charles Blackman, 1953
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in motion and creating atmospheric perspective with muted colors. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise realism.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and background.
- step 03
Establish the values for the figures and the ground, paying attention to the shadows.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, such as their clothing and hats.
- step 05
Refine the background elements, including the buildings and the sky.
- step 06
Add texture and interest with visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre
Mix blues and browns with white to create the muted tones of the ground and sky. Use small amounts of red and yellow to add warmth and highlights.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Using colors that are too bright and saturated.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not capturing the movement of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for visible brushstrokes. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils will allow for more blending time.
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