plate no. 7803
The Admonition
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and fabric, as well as understanding and applying chiaroscuro to create depth and form. It also offers practice in capturing the texture of different materials using visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and objects.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and objects with mid-tone values.
- step 04
Begin to build up the light areas, focusing on the faces and white clothing, using subtle gradations of color.
- step 05
Develop the details of the faces, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and objects, capturing the textures with visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the edges and transitions between light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · sap green
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, and white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm skin tones, and add a touch of green for shadows.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much paint and losing the subtle gradations of color.
- →Not capturing the correct proportions of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to simplify the initial blocking-in process.
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