plate no. 8380
The Family
Romare Bearden, 1948
some experience helpful
This painting helps develop skills in abstracting figures into geometric shapes and understanding color relationships within a limited palette. Students will learn to create depth and form through overlapping shapes and varying values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and outlines of the figures and furniture, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Divide the composition into geometric planes, simplifying the forms into triangles, rectangles, and curves.
- step 03
Block in the background colors first, using diluted washes of yellow and green.
- step 04
Apply the primary colors to the larger shapes, starting with the reds and browns.
- step 05
Mix and apply the secondary colors, such as blues and greens, to create contrast and depth.
- step 06
Add darker values to define shadows and create form within the shapes.
- step 07
Outline the shapes with thin black lines to emphasize the geometric structure.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to match the original painting.
color palette
primary · red · brown · yellow · black
secondary · green · blue · gray
Mix browns from red, yellow, and black. Create grays by mixing black and white. Greens can be achieved by mixing yellow and blue.
techniques
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·color blocking
- ·line work
- ·glazing
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes
- →Using too many colors
- →Losing the overall composition
- →Uneven line weights
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Acrylic paints
- ·Canvas or watercolor paper
- ·Round brushes (small and medium)
- ·Flat brush
- ·Palette
- ·Water
- ·Pencil
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Ruler
- ·Masking tape
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylic paints are recommended for their fast drying time and ease of use.
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