plate no. 4304
T.S. Eugenides, Piraeus
Jeffrey Smart, 1971
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting realistic figures and architectural forms in perspective, as well as creating subtle color variations in the sky and ground.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the rooftop and the placement of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, building, rooftop, and figures.
- step 03
Begin refining the colors of the sky, blending subtle variations of blues, pinks, and grays.
- step 04
Develop the colors and textures of the rooftop, using a dry brush technique to create the look of the tiles.
- step 05
Paint the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow on their forms.
- step 06
Add details to the building and the advertisement sign.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition and add any final details.
- step 08
Glaze with a thin layer of medium to unify the colors and add depth.
color palette
primary · gray · yellow · pink · reddish-brown
secondary · blue · white
Mix various shades of gray for the sky and the man's robe by combining white, black, and a touch of blue or brown. Achieve the rooftop color by mixing red, brown, and a touch of yellow.
techniques
- ·blocking
- ·blending
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective of the rooftop and buildings.
- →Overly saturated colors.
- →Lack of subtle color variations in the sky.
- →Poor rendering of the figures' anatomy.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Oil paints (gray, yellow, pink, reddish-brown, blue, white, black)
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Palette
- ·Linseed oil or other painting medium
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Easel
- ·Reference photo print
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paints and improve blending.
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