plate no. 0114

Abibe

oilOrientalismportraitportraitfigurebuildinglandscapeheadscarfhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. Students will also practice simplifying forms and capturing the essence of a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main value areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the skin, clothing, and background.
step 04
Refine the shapes and values of the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the headscarf and hair.
step 06
Develop the background, simplifying the forms of the buildings and landscape.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values to create a sense of harmony and depth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Achieve the green of the clothing by mixing yellow ochre and viridian green. Darken colors by adding small amounts of ultramarine blue.

techniques

·portrait painting
·color mixing
·value study
·blocking in
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the face.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Neglecting the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green, ultramarine blue
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife
·Rags