plate no. 8654
The Squall
Charles Sprague Pearce, 1905
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric folds, as well as atmospheric perspective in the background.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of the sky, sea, and figure with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the figure's cloak and the shadows in the sky.
- step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights in the figure's face and hands.
- step 05
Develop the texture of the waves and the atmospheric perspective in the background.
- step 06
Refine the details of the figure's features and the folds in the cloak.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and adjust the overall tone.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · viridian
Mix various shades of gray and blue-gray for the sky and sea. Use yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red for the skin tones. Black and umber are used for the cloak, lightened with white for highlights.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and sea.
- →Making the cloak too flat and lifeless.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground to help establish the overall color harmony.
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