plate no. 3778
The soup of the poor
Albrecht Anker, 1893
experienced study
This painting provides an opportunity to practice rendering figures in a variety of poses and capturing the atmosphere of an interior scene. Students can also learn about creating depth using atmospheric perspective and subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and major 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 colors of the background, walls, and floor.
- step 04
Begin painting the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
- step 05
Pay attention to the light source and how it affects the values and colors of the objects.
- step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Add texture to the walls and floor using dry brush techniques.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and values to create a cohesive and balanced painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre
Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of blue and red. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·dry brush
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Ignoring the value structure
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated
- →Failing to create a sense of depth
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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