plate no. 3638
There was a dispute going on between the executioner, the King, and the Queen
Charles Robinson, 1907
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will develop skills in character illustration, pattern replication, and color mixing to achieve a vintage aesthetic. Students will also learn about composition and creating a narrative scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and background elements, paying attention to proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the basic shapes and colors of the figures and background.
- step 03
Start adding details to the Queen, King, and Jack, focusing on their costumes and facial expressions.
- step 04
Paint the Cheshire Cat floating above, paying attention to its expression and fur texture.
- step 05
Add the background details, including the other card people and the landscape.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Paint the flowers in the foreground, varying their size and placement.
- step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · red · yellow · green · brown
secondary · blue · white · black · orange
Achieve the vintage look by mixing colors with white to create muted tones. Use glazes to build up depth and richness in the colors.
techniques
- ·flat washes
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·pattern replication
- ·character illustration
common pitfalls
- →getting the proportions of the figures wrong
- →overworking the details
- →using colors that are too bright
- →not creating enough depth
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints or acrylics
- ·round and flat brushes
- ·watercolor paper or canvas
- ·palette
- ·water
- ·pencil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·masking fluid
- ·ruler
Use high-quality paints and paper for best results. Consider using a reference photo for the characters' costumes and facial expressions.
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