plate no. 3710
The Sacrificial Offering Day of the Dead
Diego Rivera, 1924
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, composition, and creating a muted color palette. It also provides practice in rendering light and shadow in a subtle way.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the altar.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, starting with the background and larger areas.
- step 03
Develop the figures, paying attention to their proportions and gestures.
- step 04
Add the details of the altar, including the candles, flowers, and offerings.
- step 05
Refine the colors and values, creating depth and atmosphere.
- step 06
Add highlights to the candles and other light sources.
- step 07
Adjust the overall composition and make any necessary corrections.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · orange · white
secondary · olive green · black · yellow ochre
Mix burnt umber and raw sienna with white to create the skin tones. Use orange for the flowers and decorations. Mix olive green for the leaves and background.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Using too much bright color
- →Ignoring the proportions of the figures
- →Not creating enough depth in the composition
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·rags
optional
- ·varnish
- ·easel
- ·painting knife
Use a canvas with a medium texture to help create a sense of depth. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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