plate no. 6539

The Fight, Imagination and Memory of the Family

Alberto Sughi, 1981

oilContemporary Realismgenre paintingfiguresinteriorroomcouchdoorwaywall

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing mood through limited color palettes and loose brushwork, as well as simplifying complex scenes into essential forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the room and figures.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with thin washes of neutral tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the couch, figures, and background walls.
step 04
Develop the figures' forms with subtle shading and highlights, paying attention to gesture.
step 05
Add texture and detail with visible brushstrokes, especially in the couch and background.
step 06
Refine the edges and shapes, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall value and color balance to achieve the desired mood.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · purple

Achieve the muted tones by mixing black and white with small amounts of raw umber and payne's gray. Use thin washes of these mixtures to build up the values and colors gradually.

techniques