plate no. 5345
The Cobbler's Shop
Ralph Hedley, 1909
experienced study
This painting provides an opportunity to practice chiaroscuro and capturing the effect of light in a dark environment. Students can also develop their skills in rendering figures and textures with loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the window.
- step 02
Establish the dark background with broad strokes of dark browns and blacks.
- step 03
Block in the main light source (the lamp) and the areas it illuminates.
- step 04
Begin to define the figures, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Add details to the workshop environment, such as tools and textures.
- step 06
Refine the brushwork, using short, broken strokes to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 07
Adjust the values to enhance the contrast between light and dark areas.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red
Mix browns and blacks to create the dark tones. Use white to create highlights and lighter values. Mix yellow ochre and cadmium red for subtle warm tones.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·broken brushwork
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly feel.
- →Making the dark areas too uniform and lacking depth.
- →Not capturing the effect of light accurately.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g. Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for sufficient detail. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
