plate no. 4868
The Fourteen Daggers
Kay Sage, 1942
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing geometric shapes and creating depth through value changes. Students will also learn to depict fabric folds and subtle color variations in shadows.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: doorway, stairs, figures, and large planes.
- step 02
Block in the large color areas: red wall, sky, floor, and stairs using thin washes.
- step 03
Establish the light source and begin adding shadows to define forms.
- step 04
Develop the figure in the foreground, paying attention to the folds of the fabric and the subtle value changes.
- step 05
Refine the details of the stairs and the figure at the top of the stairs.
- step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to match the original painting.
- step 08
Add final details and refine edges.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Mix various shades of gray by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue. Achieve the red wall color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of umber to tone it down. Use raw sienna to create the beige color of the floor.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·value studies
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective of the stairs wrong.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
- →Not paying enough attention to the subtle value changes in the shadows.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (small and medium)
- ·flat brushes (small and medium)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water (for cleaning)
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils allow for more blending time.
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