plate no. 7660

The Fall Blossoms

oil, canvasRealismportraitchildrenfiguresportraitclothingsandalsemotional expression

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and creating a sense of depth using subtle value changes. Students will also learn how to mix and apply a limited color palette to create a harmonious and unified artwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the overall composition and placement of the figures.
step 03
Apply a thin, diluted wash of burnt umber or raw sienna to create an underpainting.
step 04
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the local color of the clothing and skin tones.
step 05
Begin to refine the forms by adding highlights and shadows, paying attention to the light source.
step 06
Develop the details of the faces, focusing on capturing the expressions of the children.
step 07
Add subtle color variations and details to the clothing and background.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red light

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna with white to create the various skin tones and clothing colors. Use small amounts of green and red to adjust the warmth and coolness of the browns.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using too many colors, resulting in a muddy or chaotic painting.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, viridian green, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags