plate no. 2085

The Altar at Tanum Church in Bærum)

oil, canvasNaturalismgenre paintingchurch interiorfiguresaltarreligious scenearchitecturecolumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in shadow and creating atmospheric perspective with muted colors. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of old walls and architectural details with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the altar, figures, and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of burnt umber and yellow ochre.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the figures and the altar with dark, muted tones.
step 04
Develop the background walls and architectural details with loose, textured brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the figures and altar to create form and depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the altar and the figures' clothing.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · Prussian blue · raw sienna

Mix burnt umber and yellow ochre for the warm tones of the walls and floor. Use Prussian blue to create the darker shades of the altar and figures. Add titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·limited palette
·atmospheric perspective
·blocking in

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
→Creating too much contrast and losing the sense of atmosphere.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the walls and floor.
→Making the figures too defined and losing their integration with the background.