plate no. 2374
1909 Seated Woman 2018 Seated Man
Anthony Padgett, 2018
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas (yellow shirt, skin tones, hat, chair, background) with thin washes.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values to define shadows and contours, using visible brushstrokes.
- step 04
Mix and apply lighter values to create highlights and volume.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and clothing, paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add the dark outlines to define the shapes.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast as needed.
- step 08
Add the signature.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · titanium white
Mix skin tones using burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Create darker shades by adding ultramarine blue or burnt umber to the base colors. Mix greens for the background using yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·visible brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·simplifying forms
- ·outlining
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the style.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the direction of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette of colors to simplify the color mixing process.
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