plate no. 6478
Thus the people were free for all time from the fear of poisonous reptiles
Charles Robinson, 1909
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting complex intertwined forms like the snakes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the overall arrangement of the snakes.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and gesture.
- step 03
Block in the base colors for the figure's robe, the cliff, and the background sky.
- step 04
Begin layering in shadows and highlights on the robe to create form and dimension.
- step 05
Start defining the individual snakes, varying their colors and patterns.
- step 06
Add details to the figure's face, hands, and feet.
- step 07
Refine the background, adding atmospheric perspective to create depth.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to the snakes and the overall composition.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · payne's gray
Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the robe's base color, adding white for highlights and ultramarine blue for shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for the snakes, with burnt sienna for patterns. Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of Payne's gray for depth.
techniques
- ·drapery rendering
- ·figure drawing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the initial sketch.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
- →Losing the sense of depth in the background.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.
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