plate no. 5210
Three Characters
Fernand Leger, 1924
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and how to create volume using subtle gradations of tone. It also provides practice in accurately rendering geometric shapes and their relationships within a composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and objects.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of the light blue-grey.
- step 03
Mix the base color for the figures (a mid-tone brown-grey).
- step 04
Apply the base color to the figures, leaving space for highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Mix darker shades of the base color and add shadows to define the forms.
- step 06
Mix lighter shades of the base color and add highlights to create volume.
- step 07
Paint the details like the eyes, hair, and the rod/cylinders.
- step 08
Refine the edges and smooth out any harsh transitions.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · light blue-grey
The figure colors are achieved by mixing raw umber, white, and black in varying proportions. The background is white with a touch of blue and black.
techniques
- ·tonal gradation
- ·geometric simplification
- ·blending
- ·color mixing
- ·contouring
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, which can flatten the forms.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Using too much paint, which can obscure the subtle tonal variations.
- →Ignoring the subtle color temperature shifts within the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Raw umber oil paint
- ·Titanium white oil paint
- ·Ivory black oil paint
- ·Light blue oil paint
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Palette
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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