plate no. 2950

The Rug Merchant

oilOrientalismgenre paintingfiguresarchitecturerugsmarketpotsshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in light and shadow, as well as creating the illusion of depth and texture in architectural details and fabrics. It will also help with color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and the warm, earthy tones of the scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, architecture, and figures, using thin washes of paint.
step 04
Develop the skin tones of the figures, layering colors to create depth and realism.
step 05
Add details to the architecture, such as the decorative elements and the texture of the walls.
step 06
Paint the rugs and other objects in the foreground, paying attention to their patterns and textures.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix burnt umber and yellow ochre for the warm tones of the architecture. Use cadmium red and burnt umber for the rugs. Mix ultramarine blue and ivory black for the cooler shadows.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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