plate no. 1094

The Denunciation

oil, canvasRococogenre paintingfiguresinteriorroomfurnitureclothinggroup

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a complex composition and understanding how to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background and establish the atmospheric perspective by gradually softening details and lightening values.
step 04
Refine the figures, paying attention to proportions, gestures, and facial expressions.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and furniture, using small brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 06
Build up the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and depth.
step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the colors and create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth colors with white and small amounts of red or yellow. Use glazes of burnt umber to create shadows and depth.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·retouch varnish

Use a canvas with a fine weave to allow for smooth blending and detail work. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting to paint.

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