plate no. 8503

Two Figures Seated at Lakeside

Violet Oakley, 1940

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfigureslaketreeslandscapenightwater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing a mood through color and loose, expressive mark-making. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a base layer of blue pastel across the entire surface.
step 03
Block in the darker values of the trees and figures using darker blues and grays.
step 04
Add highlights to the water and sky using lighter blues and whites.
step 05
Develop the details of the figures, paying attention to the folds of their clothing and their posture.
step 06
Use short, broken strokes to create texture in the trees and foliage.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · payne's gray · burnt sienna

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix ultramarine blue and payne's gray for the darker blues in the trees and figures. Add white to these mixtures to create lighter values for the sky and water. Use burnt sienna for the figures' clothing, muted with blue to fit the overall tone.

techniques

·pastel blending
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Creating too much contrast and disrupting the overall mood.
→Failing to establish a strong base layer of color.
→Not blending the pastels sufficiently, resulting in a chalky appearance.

materials

surface · pastel paper (toned blue or gray)

required

·soft pastels (assorted blues, grays, browns)
·pastel paper (toned blue or gray)
·kneaded eraser
·fixative spray
·drawing board
·paper towels

optional

·pastel pencils
·tortillon
·workable fixative

Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to grip the pastels. A toned paper will help to establish the overall color scheme more quickly.

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