plate no. 8521
The Entrance to the Ball
Felicien Rops, 1858
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing loose brushwork and creating a sense of atmosphere with a limited color palette. Students can learn to suggest details rather than rendering them precisely.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures with charcoal or a diluted wash.
- step 02
Establish the overall warm tone of the painting with a thin wash of burnt umber and yellow ochre.
- step 03
Block in the dark areas of the figures and building with darker browns and blacks, leaving some areas lighter.
- step 04
Add highlights to the figures and building using lighter shades of yellow ochre and white.
- step 05
Define the edges of the figures and building with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add the lettering and details of the advertisement using a fine brush.
- step 07
Soften some of the edges with a dry brush to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · ivory black
Mix burnt umber and yellow ochre for the warm tones. Add white to create highlights. Use black sparingly for the darkest shadows.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Using too much detail and not suggesting the forms.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
A slightly textured canvas will enhance the brushwork. Use a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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