plate no. 9200
Still life with onions
Antonio Sicurezza, 1976
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as practicing visible brushstrokes to add texture and energy to their work. Students will also learn to observe and represent subtle color variations in everyday objects.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition of the still life.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of each object, focusing on the overall color temperature.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to define the form and volume of each object, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Add details such as the onion roots and garlic skins with small, deliberate brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the background and foreground, adding subtle color variations and textures.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the objects.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson
Achieve the onion colors by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and touches of red. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix greens from yellow ochre and ultramarine blue for the background.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·alla prima
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations within each object.
- →Getting the proportions of the objects wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Not paying attention to the light source and how it affects the shadows.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, sap green, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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