When most people think of an artist, they imagine someone painting outdoors in the sunlight, standing at an easel. This romantic image wasn't truly possible until the 1840s when paint became available in tubes and the French box easel was invented, making it easier for artists to travel with their gear and paint outside. In this chapter, we delve into the life and techniques of Joaquín Sorolla, a master of capturing light and life on canvas. Born in Valencia, Spain, Sorolla faced early tragedy with the loss of his parents, yet his passion for art shone through from a young age. By age 15, he was already excelling at the fine arts academy, and his talent caught the eye of patrons who supported his education. Sorolla's work is celebrated for its vibrant color and dynamic compositions, and in this lesson, I will guide you through his alla prima style, revealing how you can infuse your own paintings with more color, passion, and life. By standing on the shoulders of giants like Sorolla, we can reach artistic heights we never thought possible.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
"Home Time" 23 x 21" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson.
Step 19Mixing and Modifying Grays
Mix a Neutral Gray
Combine burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, and a little bit of white to create a neutral gray. This will serve as your base for further modifications.
Modify the Gray
Add cobalt blue to the neutral gray to create a cooler, blue-tinted gray. For a greenish tint, mix in some yellow. To warm it up, incorporate orange or red along with a touch of yellow ochre.
Adjust Value with White
Introduce some white to each modified gray to achieve slight value differences while maintaining the same hue variations.
Create Warm Light Tones
Mix yellow ochre with a flesh tone to produce a warm light. This combination results in a slightly darker, more muted warm tone.
Incorporate Violet
Add a touch of violet to your palette. This color is significant in impressionistic painting and adds depth to your work.
Paint Shadows
Use a large brush to apply shadows thinly. Focus on capturing big shapes and note where warm light reflects into the shadows.
Paint Light Areas
Switch to a clean brush for light areas, applying paint thickly without any medium. Ensure the brush remains clean to avoid picking up dark paint from underneath.
Add Variation to Shadows
Introduce phthalo and additional warmth into the half tones where light transitions into shadow, enhancing depth and interest.
Pro tipKeep your brush clean when painting light areas over dark to prevent unwanted color mixing.
Embark on your painting journey by drawing inspiration from the life and work of Joaquin Sorolla. Begin by filling your sketchbooks with drawings, much like Sorolla did in his early years, to hone your skills and develop a keen eye for detail. As you progress, immerse yourself in nature, capturing its true essence and allowing it to guide your artistic expression. Sorolla's dedication to painting from life, even under challenging conditions, serves as a testament to the endurance and passion required to create authentic art.
As you delve into Sorolla's techniques, study his use of light, color, and brushwork to capture the vibrancy of life. By copying his paintings, you can gain insight into his approach to composition and color, which will enrich your own style. When preparing your canvas, consider the importance of background tone and the strategic use of color temperature to create dynamic contrasts between light and shadow. These elements are crucial in achieving the lively and dynamic quality characteristic of Sorolla's work.
Throughout your painting process, focus on the interplay of colors and the balance of warm and cool tones. Use tools like long brushes to maintain a good perspective, and employ techniques such as squinting to simplify your subject into major color blocks. As you refine your work, pay attention to the subtleties of shadows and highlights, using a dry brush to soften edges while preserving texture. By incorporating these techniques and maintaining a commitment to capturing the essence of your subject, you can create paintings that resonate with the energy and emotion found in Sorolla's masterpieces.
Points to remember
Fill your sketchbooks with drawings to develop your skills.
Let nature be your guide for inspiration and authenticity.
Study Sorolla's use of light and color to capture life's essence.
Focus on negative spaces to ensure accuracy in your drawing.
Apply an umber wash before sketching to set a warm background tone.
Pre-mix colors to speed up your painting process and focus on brushwork.
Use contrasting colors to enhance light and shadow dynamics.
Squint at your subject to simplify it into big blocks of color.
