plate no. 0673
Winter Criminal Term
Conroy Maddox, 1963
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, color mixing for muted tones, and incorporating collage elements into a painting. It also encourages experimentation with surrealist composition and symbolism.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare the canvas with a light gray wash.
- step 02
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, horse, and background blocks.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color using thin washes of gouache.
- step 04
Add details to the figure and hats, focusing on the tonal variations.
- step 05
Paint the horse using a dark, almost black, color, adding subtle highlights.
- step 06
Incorporate collage elements, adhering them carefully to the canvas.
- step 07
Add final details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired mood.
- step 08
Varnish to protect the surface.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium yellow
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or gray. Use thin washes to build up layers of color.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·collage
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Using colors that are too bright and saturated.
- →Not allowing the layers to dry properly before adding more paint.
- →Poor adhesion of collage elements.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·gouache paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
- ·collage materials (paper scraps, photos)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·spray fixative
Use a good quality gouache paint for best results. Consider using a matte varnish to reduce glare.
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