plate no. 7835
The mother of the geese
Niccolo Cannicci, 1890
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with loose brushstrokes and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting figures and animals in a naturalistic setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and ducks.
- step 02
Establish the background by blocking in the fence and foliage with broad strokes, using muted greens and browns.
- step 03
Block in the ground with a base layer of warm, sandy tones.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the figure, focusing on the light and shadow on the clothing and face.
- step 05
Paint the ducks with quick, gestural strokes, capturing their movement and form.
- step 06
Refine the details of the fence and foliage, adding variations in color and texture.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the ground to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · sap green
Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and raw umber to create the light tones for the ducks and figure. Use raw umber and ivory black for the darker areas of the clothing and fence. Mix greens from yellow ochre and black.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Creating too much contrast and making the painting look harsh.
- →Failing to capture the movement and energy of the ducks.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, ivory black, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, sap green)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a limited palette to achieve color harmony. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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