plate no. 1197

The Soccer Players

Gerard Sekoto, 1939

oilSocial Realismgenre paintingfiguressoccerbuildingsstreetchildrencityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing figures in motion with minimal detail. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and buildings.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre to the areas where the ground and buildings will be.
step 03
Add a light blue wash to the sky, leaving some areas white for clouds.
step 04
Paint the figures with loose washes of brown, blue, and red, indicating their positions and movement.
step 05
Add darker values to the shadows under the figures and buildings using a mix of burnt umber and blue.
step 06
Define the buildings with stronger colors, such as burnt sienna and red, and add details like windows.
step 07
Refine the figures and add small details to suggest faces and clothing.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the ground and buildings. Use ultramarine blue diluted for the sky and mixed with burnt umber for shadows.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·figure drawing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive style.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Not simplifying the figures and making them too detailed.
→Ignoring the value contrast and creating a flat, uninteresting painting.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red)
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·Palette for mixing paints
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

Use a good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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