plate no. 4310
To be or not to be: who loves not is not
Giovanni (Nino) Costa, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering form with subtle color variations and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in painting figures in a natural setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main landscape elements.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of earth tones.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the dress and the drapery.
- step 04
Begin to develop the background foliage, using a variety of greens and browns.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figure, including the face, hands, and book.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Glaze over the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · sap green · burnt sienna
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth colors with white and small amounts of green and sienna. Use glazes of diluted colors to create depth and atmosphere.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering folds
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in value and color.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, sap green, burnt sienna)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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