plate no. 5493
The oyster seller
Cesare Tallone, 1885
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict textures of different objects like baskets and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figure, table, and background objects.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar neutral tone.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, figure's clothing, and objects on the table, focusing on accurate color matching.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, baskets, and other objects, adding texture and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle details and softening edges to create depth.
- step 07
Add final highlights and details to the figure and objects to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red for skin tones and the red hat. Add viridian to create muted greens for the foliage.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended for beginners.
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