plate no. 9899
The New School II
Jeffrey Smart, 2004
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in linear perspective, color mixing for subtle variations in light and shadow, and rendering smooth surfaces.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and schoolyard, paying close attention to vanishing points.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the buildings, and the ground.
- step 03
Mix and apply the base colors for the figure, focusing on accurate proportions and placement.
- step 04
Add subtle variations in color and value to the buildings and ground to create depth and dimension.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figure, including the clothing folds and facial features.
- step 06
Paint the lines on the schoolyard using a fine brush and consistent pressure.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the buildings and the figure.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and realistic look.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · burnt umber
Achieve the muted tones of the buildings by mixing yellow ochre with small amounts of burnt umber and white. The sky is a blend of ultramarine blue and white, with subtle variations in value. The figure's clothing uses a mix of blues and greens.
techniques
- ·linear perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·smooth blending
- ·glazing
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate perspective leading to a distorted composition.
- →Overly saturated colors that detract from the painting's realism.
- →Neglecting subtle value changes, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will aid in achieving the desired level of detail.
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