plate no. 0880
The Family
Charles Alston, 1955
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and using a limited palette to create a cohesive and expressive composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and background elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest values.
- step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones and highlights, paying attention to the planes of the faces and bodies.
- step 04
Use visible brushstrokes to add texture and visual interest.
- step 05
Refine the shapes and edges of the figures, using a combination of hard and soft edges.
- step 06
Add details such as the eyes, mouths, and clothing folds.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white · black
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · gray
Mix burnt sienna and ultramarine blue to create various shades of brown and black. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix yellow ochre with white to create the light yellows.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to simplify the forms and creating a cluttered composition.
- →Using too many colors and creating a discordant palette.
- →Not paying attention to the value contrast and creating a flat image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#4, #8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or paint thinner (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process.
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