plate no. 8114
The Studio Wall
Adolph Menzel, 1872
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering form with light and shadow, and understanding complex compositions with overlapping elements. It also provides practice in capturing textures with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to map out the placement of the major forms (busts, heads, tools).
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt sienna and umber.
- step 03
Block in the main shadow shapes on each object using a darker value of the background color.
- step 04
Start building up the highlights on the white bust, using progressively lighter values of white mixed with small amounts of the background color.
- step 05
Develop the mid-tones and shadows on the other sculptures, paying attention to the direction of light.
- step 06
Add details to the tools and other objects, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the forms, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of realism.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre
Achieve the various skin tones and shadows by mixing burnt sienna and raw umber with varying amounts of white and black. Use yellow ochre sparingly to warm up the highlights.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Making the highlights too bright and the shadows too dark.
- →Losing the overall sense of unity in the composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt sienna, raw umber, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre)
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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