plate no. 3231
Three Men
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, value studies, and creating a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective. It also encourages observation of subtle tonal variations within a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and background elements.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of light and shadow using a diluted wash of neutral gray.
- step 03
Begin to refine the forms of the figures, paying attention to the planes of the face and the folds of the clothing.
- step 04
Develop the background elements, such as the buildings and train cars, using a lighter touch and less detail.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the value contrasts throughout the painting, adding darker shadows and brighter highlights.
- step 07
Incorporate visible brushstrokes to add texture and visual interest.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the text on the posters and the numbers on the train cars.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre
Achieve subtle variations in tone by mixing black and white in different ratios. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm up the grays.
techniques
- ·grisaille underpainting
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges and transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 1/2 inch, 1 inch)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
A medium-textured canvas will enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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