plate no. 6977
The Past (forgotten-swallowed)
Alfred Kubin, 1901
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand value relationships and how to create a sense of depth using limited color palettes. It also offers practice in rendering the human form in a stylized manner.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and shadows on the figure.
- step 03
Begin layering lighter tones onto the figure, gradually building up the highlights.
- step 04
Refine the details of the figure's anatomy and the surrounding landscape.
- step 05
Pay attention to the subtle gradations of value to create a sense of form.
- step 06
Add texture with short, controlled brushstrokes.
- step 07
Soften edges where needed to blend forms together.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · raw umber
Mix varying amounts of white and black to create a range of grays. Add a touch of raw umber for warmth in certain areas.
techniques
- ·value studies
- ·grisaille
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →over-blending, resulting in a flat image
- →ignoring the importance of accurate proportions
- →failing to create a strong value contrast
- →getting lost in details too early
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
A smooth canvas will allow for easier blending. Consider using a toned canvas to start with a mid-value ground.
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