plate no. 2377
The Family
Fernando Botero, 1966
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting rounded forms and understanding how to create a sense of volume using subtle value changes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes and capturing unique proportions.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and placement of the figures and the dog.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color and value of the trees and foliage.
- step 03
Block in the main skin tones of the figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Develop the clothing, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding highlights.
- step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the unique expressions of each character.
- step 06
Add details to the dog, including the eyes, nose, and fur texture.
- step 07
Introduce the smaller details like jewelry, the cigarette, and the roses.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a cohesive and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · flesh tones (various mixes of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white) · dark brown · blue-gray
secondary · yellow · black · pink
Achieve the unique skin tones by carefully mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, and adjusting the proportions to create subtle variations. The blue-gray can be achieved by mixing ultramarine blue, white, and a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification of forms
- ·creating volume with value
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the forms and losing the simplified, rounded aesthetic.
- →Struggling to capture the subtle value changes in the skin tones.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Failing to maintain the overall color harmony of the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
Using a limited palette can help to achieve color harmony. Consider starting with a warm underpainting to add depth to the colors.
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