plate no. 7486
The Organ Grinder
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering textures of buildings and clothing.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
1
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement of buildings and the main group of figures.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and basic perspective of the village scene.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings with thin washes of color, paying attention to their relative values.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and roof tiles.
- step 05
Start painting the figures, working from the background to the foreground, simplifying the details of the distant figures.
- step 06
Develop the color and texture of the foreground figures, adding details to their clothing and faces.
- step 07
Add the trees and other vegetation, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 08
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of blue and white. Use glazes of burnt umber to create shadows and depth.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of perspective.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Not simplifying the details of the background figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a fine weave to allow for detailed brushwork. Consider using a toned ground to help establish the overall color harmony.
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