plate no. 4332
Veche of Novgorod
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand value relationships and how to create depth using a limited palette. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a crowd and rendering architectural details.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, figures, and sleds.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic perspective.
- step 03
Block in the darkest areas with a mid-tone gray.
- step 04
Add the lightest areas, representing snow and highlights on the buildings and figures.
- step 05
Refine the shapes of the figures and add details to their clothing.
- step 06
Develop the architectural details of the buildings, paying attention to the windows and rooflines.
- step 07
Add the dog and the details of the sleds in the foreground.
- step 08
Adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · raw umber
Use varying ratios of black and white to create a full range of grays. Add a touch of raw umber to warm up certain areas.
techniques
- ·grisaille
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Not establishing a clear value range.
- →Making the figures too uniform and lacking individuality.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, which flattens the image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
A toned canvas (light gray) can be helpful for establishing values.
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