plate no. 9708
The Poor Fisherman
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting helps students practice limited color palettes and learn to create a sense of atmosphere through subtle value shifts. It also provides experience painting figures in a muted, realistic style.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the boat.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, land, and boat, using thinned paint.
- step 03
Establish the basic values for the figures, paying attention to the light source.
- step 04
Refine the shapes of the boat and figures, adding details and adjusting values.
- step 05
Add details to the background landscape, keeping it soft and atmospheric.
- step 06
Work on the reflections in the water, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use yellow ochre and raw umber for the landscape and boat. Mix red and white for the figure's shirt.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
- →Making the figures too stiff or posed.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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