plate no. 0753
The Meeting at the Pharmacy
Jose Gutierrez Solana, 1934
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a group setting and understanding how to create a sense of depth and atmosphere using a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the dog.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and the figures' clothing using thin washes.
- step 03
Start building up the values and details of each figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Add details like the newspapers, faces, and the dog's features.
- step 05
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
- step 06
Work on the details of the clothing, such as folds and textures.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · olive green · yellow ochre · payne's gray
Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with each other and adding small amounts of white or black to adjust the value. Use olive green and yellow ochre sparingly to add subtle color variations.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·limited palette
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·olive green oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for the dry brushing and scumbling techniques. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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