plate no. 1137

The Prodigal Daughter

John Collier, 1903

oil, canvasRomanticismgenre paintingfiguresinteriortableclothingdoorwayshadows

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in complex lighting and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in painting detailed patterns and textures on clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main elements of the room.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the figures, paying attention to proportions and anatomical details.
step 04
Develop the background elements, such as the furniture and wall textures, using a limited palette.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including patterns, folds, and highlights.
step 06
Focus on the lighting, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and drama.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors to achieve a cohesive and harmonious overall effect.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primaries and secondaries, and use white to lighten the values. Use thin glazes of color to build up depth and create subtle variations in hue.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the effects of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags