plate no. 3424

Sir Alexander Fleming, Frs, the Discoverer of Penicillin

Ethel Léontine Gabain, 1944

oilNeo-Romanticismgenre paintingfigurescientistlaboratorytableequipmentwindow

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and capturing the textures of various objects in a complex scene. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the large areas of the background, figure, and table.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the values, paying attention to the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Start refining the details of the figure's face and hands, using small brushstrokes to create subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 05
Add details to the laboratory equipment, focusing on capturing the textures and shapes of the various objects.
step 06
Work on the background, creating depth by softening the edges and reducing the contrast in the distance.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, making adjustments to the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · viridian · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of red. Create the green background by mixing viridian with white and a touch of yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and black to create the darker tones.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
→Getting lost in the complexity of the scene and losing sight of the overall composition.