plate no. 5318
Sharks of Suburbia
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow in a nocturnal scene, as well as creating the illusion of depth and movement in water. It also provides practice in painting architectural forms and animal anatomy.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, street lamp, and shark positions.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of blues and greens for the sky and water.
- step 03
Block in the dark values of the buildings and the sharks' bodies.
- step 04
Begin adding highlights to the water to create the illusion of waves and movement.
- step 05
Paint the details of the buildings, including windows and the 'Pilsner Stuben' sign.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and details of the sharks, paying attention to their teeth and eyes.
- step 07
Add the light source from the street lamp and the windows, creating highlights and shadows.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White
secondary · Burnt Umber · Sap Green
Mix Prussian blue and yellow ochre to create the greenish-blue tones of the water and sky. Use burnt umber to darken the buildings and sharks. Mix yellow ochre and white for the light sources.
techniques
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Scumbling
- ·Glazing
- ·Impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the water, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source, leading to a lack of depth.
- →Inaccurately depicting the sharks' anatomy.
- →Using too much detail in the background, distracting from the focal point.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Acrylic or Oil paints
- ·#4 Round brush
- ·#8 Flat brush
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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