plate no. 8653
The Next
Paul Delvaux, 1977
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, atmospheric perspective, and creating a surreal, dreamlike mood through color and composition. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and architectural details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures, architecture, and landscape elements, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of blue and brown tones, creating the sky and distant mountain.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the dresses, using a limited palette of blues, purples, and browns.
- step 04
Begin to add details to the figures, focusing on the subtle variations in skin tone and the folds of the dresses.
- step 05
Paint the architectural elements, such as the building and columns, using a combination of flat tones and subtle shading.
- step 06
Add the details of the tiled ground and the small figures in the background.
- step 07
Refine the details of the faces and hands, paying attention to the expressions and gestures.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre
Mix blues and browns to create the muted tones of the sky and landscape. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of red to the browns to create the flesh tones.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
- ·grisaille underpainting
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 in the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, raw umber, titanium white, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a smooth canvas surface to facilitate blending and glazing. Consider using a toned ground to create a more unified color palette.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
