plate no. 9197

Workshop of the artist

Arturo Souto, 1935

oil, canvasExpressionismgenre paintingartistmodelinteriorstill lifeshipglobe

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with multiple objects and figures, and in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value relationships. It will also help them understand how to represent the human form in a painterly style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to develop the values, focusing on the areas of greatest contrast.
step 04
Start building up layers of paint, using thicker brushstrokes to create texture and detail.
step 05
Refine the details of the figures and objects, paying attention to their form and volume.
step 06
Mix and apply colors to create the skin tones, using a combination of warm and cool hues.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the highlights and shadows, to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing cadmium red, yellow ochre, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to create warm and cool variations. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create dark shadows and muted tones.

techniques

·layering
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·modeling form

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a clear light source and value structure.
→Getting bogged down in details before establishing the overall composition.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them properly.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags