plate no. 6849

Under the Yoke (Burning the Brushwood)

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfiguresfiresmokelandscapetreessky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic figures in a complex environment. Students will also learn to capture the effects of light and shadow in a dynamic scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background landscape and sky.
step 03
Establish the areas of fire and smoke, paying attention to their dynamic shapes and values.
step 04
Roughly paint the figures, focusing on their poses and proportions.
step 05
Refine the figures' forms and details, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 06
Develop the foreground elements, including rocks, branches, and charred wood.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall realism and atmosphere.
step 08
Adjust values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and impactful image.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the smoky atmosphere by mixing white with small amounts of umber and blue. Create the fire's glow by layering reds and yellows, and use darker values for the charred wood.

techniques

·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Inaccurately depicting the proportions and anatomy of the figures.
→Not capturing the atmospheric effects of the smoke and fire.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags