plate no. 0370
The Beggars
Sébastien Bourdon, 1640
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a realistic style and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth in a complex scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the architectural elements and the figures.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and block in the large shadow areas.
- step 03
Begin layering in the colors of the sky and the architectural background, using thin washes.
- step 04
Develop the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
- step 05
Pay attention to the drapery and folds in the clothing, using highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 06
Refine the details of the faces and hands, capturing the expressions and gestures of the figures.
- step 07
Add the final details, such as the textures of the stone and the foliage.
- step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · Prussian blue · cadmium red light
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazes of burnt sienna to add warmth to the shadows.
techniques
- ·grisaille underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted round and flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·damar varnish
- ·medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium can be used to thin the paint and speed up drying time.
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