
plate no. 2847
Théodore Géricault, 1821
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal shading and creating textures with hatching and cross-hatching. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions.
Establish the darkest and lightest areas to define the value range.
Begin filling in the mid-tones, building up layers of shading.
Use hatching and cross-hatching to create texture in the clothing, wall, and ground.
Pay attention to the direction of the light source and how it affects the shadows.
Add details to the figure's face, clothing, and bagpipes.
Refine the details of the dog and the background elements.
Make final adjustments to the values and contrast to create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · payne's gray
Mix different ratios of raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white to create a range of gray tones. Payne's gray can be added for cooler shadows.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas
required
optional
A toned canvas (light gray or raw umber wash) can be helpful for establishing the value range.
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