plate no. 1448
After Bath
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in rendering skin tones and fabric textures with visible brushstrokes. Students can learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and capture the essence of a scene with limited details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: skin tones, clothing, and background.
- step 03
Develop the skin tones by layering different shades of warm and cool colors.
- step 04
Add details to the clothing, paying attention to the patterns and folds.
- step 05
Refine the background with loose brushstrokes, creating a sense of depth.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 07
Pay attention to the facial features, capturing the expressions of the mother and child.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · red · white · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green
Mix skin tones with white, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the skin tones. Create the red by mixing a cadmium red hue with a touch of alizarin crimson.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Incorrect proportions
- →Muddy colors
- →Ignoring the light source
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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