plate no. 0461
The Secret School
Nikolaos Gyzis, 1886
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a dimly lit environment and understanding how light and shadow define form. It's a good exercise in creating a sense of atmosphere and mood through color and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and key elements.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, paying attention to the light source and how it affects the colors.
- step 04
Develop the figures, starting with the areas of strongest light and shadow.
- step 05
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, using smaller brushes.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of red, yellow, and blue. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Mix black and burnt umber for shadows.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Not paying enough attention to the light source.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a toned canvas to help establish the overall value structure. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and create glazes.
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