plate no. 2995
The Clowns
Jose Gutierrez Solana, 1920
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing character through facial expression, and creating depth using layering and subtle color variations. It also provides practice in rendering textures and details in costumes and instruments.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and positions of the figures and instruments.
- step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones, focusing on creating depth.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and facial features of each clown.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to define the costumes, paying attention to the details and textures.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 06
Refine the details of the instruments, capturing their metallic sheen.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
Mix muted browns and grays by combining the primary colors. Use yellow ochre and white to create highlights on the costumes and instruments. Add small amounts of blue to darken shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·turpentine
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for layering and dry brushing. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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