Three peasant women with trees

surface prep

The panel should be constructed from seasoned poplar, willow, or linden, preferably with radial cuts to minimize warping (Source 1). The wood must be planed and sanded. It should then be coated with a mixture of animal-skin glues and resin, covered with linen (known as 'size'), and allowed to dry (Source 1). Following this, multiple layers of gesso should be applied, with each layer sanded down before the next, potentially up to 15 layers, to achieve a smooth, hard surface resembling ivory (Source 1). Note that while this multi-layer gesso technique was standard before the 16th century, Banti’s later period (1890) might have utilized darker grounds or simplified preparation, but the traditional Italian panel method remains the most historically grounded approach for this medium (Source 1).

underdrawing

The design should be laid out in charcoal, as was the usual practice for panel painting (Source 1). The artist should draw and shade in charcoal, using a dry brush to model forms if necessary (Source 6). Corrections should be made at this stage, as charcoal offers little resistance to brushwork and can be easily adjusted with bread or erasure (Source 6). It is critical to ensure accurate construction and drawing before applying paint, as correcting errors in paint is 'fatal to lucidity' (Source 6).

underpainting

An initial layer of paint should be applied using a thinned mixture, likely using raw umber and white, thinned with turpentine (Source 6). This first pass should be treated as a study, with the understanding that the painting will be worked over at least three or four times (Source 6). The oil painting technique allows for a multi-layered approach, where each layer must be left to dry for a couple of days before the next is applied (Source 1).

Multi-layered oil painting

Used to achieve exceptional detail and rich color, with each layer drying before the next is applied.

Charcoal underdrawing

Used to lay out the design and make corrections before paint application, ensuring accurate construction.

Natural light observation

Banti’s practice involved outdoor excursions to capture the natural effect of sunlight, influencing the painting’s lighting and color.

Genre scene composition

Depicting ordinary people in common activities without specific identities, creating a 'reality effect'.