plate no. 2378
The return home
George Elgar Hicks, 1873
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and creating soft, diffused lighting effects. It also provides practice in depicting complex textures like hair and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and major shapes.
- step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of brown and ochre, building up layers to create depth.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures' clothing and skin, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
- step 06
Paint the flowers, using a variety of colors and brushstrokes to capture their delicate forms.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · sap green
Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the background and shadows. Use white to lighten the skin tones and add highlights. Create the flower colors by mixing the primary and secondary colors.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, sap green)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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