plate no. 1587
The Lost Love
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic fabric folds and creating subtle value gradations to suggest form. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a human figure and an animal.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure, dog, and furniture.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin refining the figure's face and hands, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Develop the folds and drapery of the dress, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
- step 05
Paint the dog, focusing on its anatomy and the way the light interacts with its fur.
- step 06
Add details to the background, such as the wall and furniture.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix ivory black with raw umber and a touch of ultramarine blue to create the dark tones of the dress. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the dog's fur.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·assorted round and flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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