plate no. 9956
Thames
Albert Tucker, 1957
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and emotion. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve a muted, earthy palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and objects.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of the muted pinkish-grey.
- step 03
Establish the dark values of the figures, focusing on their overall forms.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the figures, such as the mask's patterns and the fruit in the bowl.
- step 05
Introduce the blue drapery, paying attention to its folds and shadows.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and details of the figures, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired mood.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · sap green
Mix ivory black and burnt umber to create the dark, earthy tones for the figures. Use cadmium red mixed with a touch of yellow ochre for the fruit. Muted pinkish-grey is achieved by mixing white, a touch of red, and a hint of black.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·impasto
- ·color layering
- ·expressive brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not simplifying the forms enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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