plate no. 0541
The Widower
Luke Fildes, 1875
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a dimly lit environment and capturing realistic textures with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating a complex composition with multiple focal points.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thinned washes of burnt umber and raw sienna.
- step 03
Establish the light source and begin building up the darker areas of the interior.
- step 04
Start defining the figures, paying close attention to proportions and anatomical details.
- step 05
Gradually add layers of color to build up the skin tones and clothing, using small, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the details of the faces, focusing on capturing the expressions and emotions of the subjects.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Finish by adding the final details and adjusting the overall values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with each other and with white. Use small amounts of red and blue to create subtle variations in the browns and grays.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much bright color, which will detract from the somber mood.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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