plate no. 2928
Wheel
Jose Clemente Orozco, 1939
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 complex forms with simplified shapes and visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the wheel, figures, and background.
- step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest values using a mid-tone gray as a base.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and stone with varying shades of gray.
- step 04
Add the red and yellow radiating from behind the wheel, blending the edges.
- step 05
Refine the details of the wheel, paying attention to its form and shadows.
- step 06
Develop the textures of the stone and figures using visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to emphasize the forms.
color palette
primary · gray · black · white
secondary · red · yellow
Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white. Use red and yellow sparingly to create the radiating light effect.
techniques
- ·value painting
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value range.
- →Ignoring the direction of light and its effect on the forms.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Canvas 18x24
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (black, white, gray, red, yellow)
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Use a limited palette to focus on value relationships. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a mid-tone base.
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