plate no. 0796

Storks

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguresfieldskybirdslandscapeanimals

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in rendering figures in a landscape and capturing atmospheric perspective. Students will develop skills in color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and the subtle gradations in the sky.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures, horizon line, and major elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue base, gradually adding subtle variations in tone and color.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomical details.
step 04
Paint the field with broad strokes, capturing the overall color and texture of the grass and wildflowers.
step 05
Add details to the figures, such as facial features, clothing folds, and highlights.
step 06
Render the background elements, including the buildings, trees, and animals, with decreasing detail as they recede into the distance.
step 07
Paint the birds in the sky, paying attention to their shapes, sizes, and positions.
step 08
Refine the painting with final touches, adjusting values, colors, and details as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green

Mix various shades of green for the grass by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve skin tones by blending titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and burnt umber.

techniques

·blocking in
·blending
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, which can flatten the perspective.
→Using too much pure white, which can make the painting look chalky.
→Neglecting the subtle variations in color and value, which can result in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figures.