plate no. 0825
Temperance
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice rendering realistic textures like fur and fabric, as well as subtle value gradations to create form. Students will also learn to create a focal point through contrast and detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the monkey, bottle, and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color.
- step 03
Begin building up the darker areas of the cloth and the monkey's features.
- step 04
Gradually add layers of color to the monkey's fur, paying attention to the direction of the hair.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and bottle, using smaller brushes.
- step 06
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 07
Add highlights to the bottle and the monkey's eyes to create focal points.
- step 08
Apply final touches and glazes to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of burnt sienna or yellow ochre to warm the grays for the monkey's fur. Use ultramarine blue to cool the grays for the background.
techniques
- ·value study
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the fur texture, resulting in a stiff appearance.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Inaccurate proportions of the monkey's anatomy.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the fur and background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will allow for easier blending.
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