plate no. 2387

The night watchman has fallen asleep

oilBiedermeiergenre paintingbuildingsnightfigurestreetstarsarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in glazing, creating atmospheric perspective, and rendering subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting architectural details and figures in a dimly lit environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the figure.
step 02
Establish the overall dark value of the night sky and the shadows on the buildings using a thin wash of dark color.
step 03
Begin layering in the lighter areas of the buildings, gradually building up the highlights with thicker paint.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the buildings, using glazing techniques to create depth and atmosphere.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, architectural features, and the clock tower.
step 06
Paint the figure of the night watchman, paying attention to the folds of his clothing and the way the light falls on him.
step 07
Add the stars in the sky using small dots of white or light yellow paint.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Achieve the muted tones by mixing raw umber and ivory black with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows. White is used sparingly for highlights and stars.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the buildings.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, ivory black, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, titanium white)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags