plate no. 0653
The Front at Hove (Turpe Senex Miles Turpe Senilis Amor)
Walter Sickert, 1930
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in capturing light and shadow with simplified forms and visible brushstrokes. Students can learn to create depth using color temperature and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, building, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, ground, building, and figures using thin washes.
- step 03
Develop the sky with subtle variations in blue and gray, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add details to the building, focusing on the shapes of the windows and architectural features.
- step 05
Refine the figures, paying attention to their posture and clothing.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and depth.
- step 07
Define the bench and surrounding park area.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · cadmium red light · sap green · ivory black
Mix various shades of blue and gray for the sky. Use raw umber and white for the building and figures, adding touches of red and black for warmth and shadow. Green is muted with raw umber.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Creating colors that are too saturated or bright.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not simplifying forms enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (flats and rounds)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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