The Old Fiddler

approach — 8 steps

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red to warm up the skin tones. Add ultramarine blue to darken shadows.

techniques

• ·Underpainting with a monochrome wash to establish values.
• ·Scumbling to create texture in the clothing and background.
• ·Glazing with thin layers of color to build depth and luminosity.
• ·Dry brushing to add highlights and texture to the violin and hair.
• ·Blending to create smooth transitions between tones.

common pitfalls

• →Overworking the details too early in the process.
• →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
• →Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
• →Neglecting the importance of accurate proportions.