plate no. 3236

The Altar at Uvdal Stave Church

Harriet Backer, 1909

oil, canvasNaturalisminteriorinterioraltarchurchwindowsarchitecturepainting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting interior spaces with perspective and capturing the interplay of light and shadow on various surfaces. It also provides practice in loose, expressive brushwork to create texture and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the interior, focusing on the altar and windows.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes of paint, establishing the overall tonal values.
step 03
Start building up the details of the altar, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details to the windows and the surrounding walls, paying attention to the light coming through the windows.
step 05
Develop the texture of the floor and other surfaces with varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the painting within the mural, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · viridian green

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining yellow ochre, burnt umber, and viridian green. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Use black to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·linear perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of perspective and depth.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not capturing the muted tones of the interior.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, viridian green, cadmium red, titanium white, ivory black)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags