plate no. 9935
Simeon the stylite
Carel Willink, 1939
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering architectural forms with subtle tonal variations. It also provides practice in depicting a figure within a larger landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the receding columns and cityscape.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the placement of the figure.
- step 03
Block in the dark areas of the sky and smoke with a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 04
Begin layering the tones of the columns, using a mix of white, gray, and a touch of brown.
- step 05
Add details to the cityscape, focusing on the shapes of the buildings and the subtle variations in tone.
- step 06
Paint the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the form.
- step 07
Refine the details of the columns and the ground, adding texture and cracks.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber
secondary · burnt umber · payne's gray
Achieve the subtle grays and browns by mixing white, black, and umber in varying proportions. Use thin washes to create atmospheric effects.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·tonal layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →overworking the details
- →creating too much contrast too early
- →incorrect perspective on the columns
- →muddying the colors
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Thin the oil paints with linseed oil for smoother blending.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
