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home·artworks·The tapestry seller
The tapestry seller by Marià Fortuny

plate no. 4126

The tapestry seller

Marià Fortuny, 1870

oilOrientalismgenre paintingfiguresmarketcarpetsarchitecturedogsorientalism
experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex patterns and textures, as well as capturing the effects of light and shadow in a busy scene. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a naturalistic way.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 7 steps

  1. step 01

    Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and objects.

  2. step 02

    Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the large areas of light and shadow.

  3. step 03

    Start adding details to the figures, carpets, and architectural elements, paying attention to patterns and textures.

  4. step 04

    Develop the background and foreground, using softer brushstrokes to create depth.

  5. step 05

    Refine the details and highlights, adding small accents of color to bring the painting to life.

  6. step 06

    Pay special attention to the rendering of light and shadow to create a sense of atmosphere.

  7. step 07

    Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · raw sienna

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use cadmium red for the vibrant reds in the carpets, and mix ultramarine blue and viridian green for cooler shadows.

techniques

  • ·scumbling
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·glazing
  • ·broken color
  • ·alla prima

common pitfalls

  • →Getting bogged down in details too early.
  • →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
  • →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
  • →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·cadmium red oil paint
  • ·#4 round brush
  • ·#8 flat brush
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·turpentine
  • ·retouch varnish

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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