plate no. 2531
Two Hungarian Peasant Children with Sunflowers
August von Pettenkofen, 1876
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the sunflowers, the child, and the distant building.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, sunflowers, foliage, ground, and the child's clothing.
- step 03
Start adding details to the sunflowers, using a variety of yellows, oranges, and browns.
- step 04
Develop the foliage with different shades of green, brown, and hints of yellow.
- step 05
Work on the child's figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and clothing.
- step 06
Add details to the ground, including fallen leaves and stems.
- step 07
Refine the background building and sky, creating a sense of depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · alizarin crimson
Achieve the muted greens by mixing sap green with burnt umber and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the sky by mixing ultramarine blue with titanium white, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and alizarin crimson.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly feel.
- →Using too much pure color without mixing and muting.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes that create depth.
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#4, #8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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