plate no. 4760
Tul-lock-chísh-ko, Drinks the Juice of the Stone (Choctaw)
George Catlin, 1834
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, torso, and limbs.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of light blue and beige.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and accessories.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Develop the details of the headwear, jewelry, and lacrosse sticks.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the background and add any final details.
- step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black
Mix skin tones using burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark blue of the skirt. Mix cadmium red with burnt sienna and white for the headwear.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·rendering
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-sized canvas for this project. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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