plate no. 1904
The Two Kings' Children" in Grimms' Fairy Tales
Elenore Abbott, 1920
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures with flowing drapery and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting fantastical creatures and capturing a narrative mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
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 goblins.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of dark blue and brown.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure's dress and hair, and the goblins' skin and clothing.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form in the figure and goblins.
- step 05
Add details to the figure's dress, hair, and jewelry.
- step 06
Refine the features of the goblins, paying attention to their expressions.
- step 07
Create the glowing effect around the figure's feet with light yellows and greens.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of depth and drama.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Emerald green · Yellow ochre · Titanium white
secondary · Burnt umber · Cadmium yellow light · Alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of green by combining Prussian blue, Emerald green, and Yellow ochre. Use Burnt umber and Prussian blue to create the dark background. Lighten colors with Titanium white.
techniques
- ·Glazing
- ·Blending
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Scumbling
- ·Atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 18x24
- ·Acrylic paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 1/2", 3/4")
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better paint adhesion. Acrylic paints are recommended for their fast drying time.
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