plate no. 1352
UNDER THE UMBRELLA
Gerard Sekoto, 1967
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks. It also provides practice in using visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: umbrellas, figures, and basic building outlines.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color using thin washes, starting with the background.
- step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, focusing on capturing their posture and gestures.
- step 05
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
- step 06
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to add texture and interest.
- step 07
Glaze thin layers to unify the painting and adjust color temperatures.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to emphasize the focal point.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium orange · titanium white · ivory black
Mix muted greens and blues for the background foliage and sky. Use white to lighten the blues and create atmospheric perspective. Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color temperature
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color temperature.
- →Failing to simplify the composition and focusing on unnecessary details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium orange oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a limited palette to create a sense of harmony and unity. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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