plate no. 0014
Who's Afraid
William Holbrook Beard, 1884
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures like fur and wood, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and creating depth through layering.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the barn.
- step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the monkeys and cows with appropriate colors.
- step 04
Start adding details to the figures, focusing on the facial features and clothing.
- step 05
Develop the textures of the tree bark, hay, and fur using various brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add final details, such as highlights and small details on the farm tools.
- step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and cadmium red to create purples for shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·damar varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Pre-toned canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber can be helpful.
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