plate no. 3028
The cheater
Ludwig Knaus, 1851
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a dimly lit environment and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and value control.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the table.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the light source.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures and background, using a limited palette.
- step 04
Develop the details of the faces and clothing, using small brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
- step 05
Refine the lighting and shadows, adding highlights to the figures and objects closest to the light source.
- step 06
Add texture to the background and foreground with dry brush techniques.
- step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre
Achieve the muted tones by mixing burnt umber with white and small amounts of red or yellow. Use black sparingly to darken values.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using too much black, which can make the painting look muddy.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium alkyd
- ·retouch varnish
Use a toned canvas to help establish the overall value structure. Consider using a medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paint.
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