plate no. 0027

The Departure of the Newlyweds

oil, canvasAcademicismgenre paintingfiguresarchitecturecourtyardhorseweddingcelebration

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in rendering complex figures in a scene, as well as creating depth and atmosphere through color and value variations. Students will also learn to manage a busy composition and create a sense of narrative.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures, architecture, and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background tones and values, focusing on the architectural elements and the courtyard floor.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures, paying attention to the different fabrics and textures.
step 04
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Work on the horse, capturing its anatomy and the texture of its coat.
step 06
Add the smaller details, such as the decorations, musical instruments, and the dog.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create subtle grays for the architecture. Mix alizarin crimson and titanium white for the pink dress.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabric
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition and values.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions and anatomy of the figures and the horse.
→Not creating enough depth and atmosphere in the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, viridian green, alizarin crimson, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags