plate no. 2011

Three Tsarevnas of the Underground Kingdom

oil, canvasRomanticismmythological paintingfiguresroyaltylandscapemythologydressessunset

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex textures and patterns, as well as understanding dramatic lighting and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in painting figures with intricate details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch outlining the positions of the three figures and the main landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the background sky with a gradient of orange and grey tones.
step 03
Establish the dark mass of the rock formation on the right side.
step 04
Begin painting the figures, starting with the underpainting of their skin tones and clothing.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the patterns, textures, and highlights.
step 06
Add the intricate details of the jewelry and headdresses.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows on the figures to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details to the landscape and blend the edges to create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · gold · brown · black · orange

secondary · grey · white · red

Achieve the gold tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of white. Create the dark tones by mixing burnt umber, ivory black, and a touch of ultramarine blue.

techniques

·glazing
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition and values.
→Making the figures look flat by not paying attention to the subtle shifts in light and shadow.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Not creating enough contrast between the figures and the dark background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 24x36 inches
·Oil paints: Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, Titanium White, Orange, Ultramarine Blue
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags