plate no. 9997
Three Fellahin
Charles Gleyre, 1835
some experience helpful
This painting is a good exercise in portraiture and fabric rendering. Students can learn to mix skin tones and create the illusion of folds and textures in the turbans and clothing.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and their turbans.
- step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the faces and clothing.
- step 03
Begin layering in the base skin tones, using thin washes of color.
- step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the turbans, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
- step 06
Refine the folds and shadows in the clothing, adding depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add any final details, such as highlights or textures.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by blending raw umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red light, lightened with titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and white for the blue clothing. Achieve the turban colors by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve different effects.
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