plate no. 4809

The Circus

Jules Pascin, 1910

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresaudiencecircustheaterportraitsinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, composition, and creating a sense of depth through layering and subtle color variations. It also encourages capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main figures and the overall structure of the circus seating.
step 02
Establish the background wash with diluted warm tones to create the base for the paper.
step 03
Begin adding the darker tones of the seating and clothing, gradually building up the values.
step 04
Introduce the primary colors, focusing on the reds of the seating and the various skin tones.
step 05
Layer in the details of the figures, paying attention to the shapes of the hats and clothing.
step 06
Use thin washes to create the sense of depth and atmosphere, blurring the figures in the background.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures in the foreground, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and expressive image.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · viridian

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of complementary colors. Use thin washes of color to build up the values and create a sense of depth.

techniques

·figure drawing
·layering
·glazing
·dry brushing
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Creating overly saturated colors
→Losing the sense of depth
→Incorrect proportions of figures
→Ignoring the background atmosphere

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·palette
·linseed oil or acrylic medium
·palette knife
·soft cloth

optional

·easel
·reference photo
·graphite pencils

Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to faster drying times, but oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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