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home·artworks·The beggar
The beggar by Alexandre Antigna

plate no. 5574

The beggar

Alexandre Antigna

oilNaturalismgenre paintingfiguresarchitecturedoorwindowstonechild

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and architectural elements.

  2. step 02

    Establish the main light source and block in the large shadow areas with a dark, neutral tone.

  3. step 03

    Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights on the architecture, using a limited palette of earth tones.

  4. step 04

    Develop the figures, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the subtle variations in skin tone.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the architectural elements, such as the texture of the stone and the details of the window.

  6. step 06

    Refine the values and colors throughout the painting, ensuring that the overall tone is consistent.

  7. step 07

    Add final highlights and details to create a sense of realism.

  8. step 08

    Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth colors with black and white. Use small amounts of cadmium red to add warmth to skin tones and architectural details.

techniques

  • ·dry brushing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·glazing
  • ·chiaroscuro
  • ·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
  • →Creating colors that are too bright or saturated.
  • →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
  • →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·burnt sienna oil paint
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·flat brushes (various sizes)
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·painting medium
  • ·retouch varnish

Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the overall value structure.

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