plate no. 5604
The Lantern Bearers
Maxfield Parrish, 1908
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering light and shadow, especially the glow of the lanterns, and in creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and careful color mixing.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and lanterns.
- step 02
Block in the background sky with a gradient of blues.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the figures' costumes and the stairs.
- step 04
Begin layering in the shadows and highlights on the figures, paying attention to the light source from the lanterns.
- step 05
Carefully render the lanterns, building up the glow with layers of yellow and white.
- step 06
Add details to the foliage and the patterns on the costumes.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna
Achieve the lantern glow by layering yellow ochre and white. Mix blues and whites for the sky gradient. Use burnt umber and raw sienna for the stairs and shadows on the costumes.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·color blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering light
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a convincing glow for the lanterns.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the shadows.
- →Making the figures look flat by not properly rendering the light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality paints for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the luminosity of the colors.
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