plate no. 0753
The Heavenly Highway of Aunt Fränzi
Lubo Kristek, 1975
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective, as well as practicing portraiture and rendering surreal elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the bridge, figure, and other key elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and background.
- step 03
Develop the bridge, paying attention to perspective and the placement of the arches.
- step 04
Begin to refine the portrait, focusing on accurate proportions and values.
- step 05
Add details to the rose and the scroll.
- step 06
Layer colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective in the sky and background.
- step 07
Refine the details of the bridge and the surrounding landscape.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to the figure and other elements.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · burnt umber
secondary · crimson · titanium white · payne's grey
Mix blues and whites for the sky, yellows and browns for the figure's clothing, and crimson with blues for the sunset hues.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering
common pitfalls
- →getting the perspective of the bridge wrong
- →overworking the portrait
- →not creating enough depth in the sky
- →inaccurate proportions
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium yellow oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·crimson oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·assorted brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth of the colors.
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