plate no. 5630
Sun and Wind on the Roof
John French Sloan, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in sunlight and understanding how light affects color. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and capturing the texture of different materials.
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 composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, buildings, and laundry line.
- step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of color.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings and the sky, paying attention to color temperature.
- step 04
Begin to define the figure, focusing on the drapery and the way light falls on the dress.
- step 05
Add the laundry, using broken brushstrokes to suggest movement and texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and the rooftop, adding windows and other architectural elements.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the figure and laundry.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · raw sienna
Mix various shades of white with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt umber to create the sunlit areas. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the shadows in the buildings and laundry. Add alizarin crimson to the red for warmer tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
- ·drapery study
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Ignoring the effect of light on color, leading to unrealistic values.
- →Getting lost in the details and losing sight of the overall composition.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#8 filbert brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color harmony.
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