plate no. 8584
Alchemy
Leonid Sejka, 1956
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a surrealist composition with varied textures. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations and brushstroke techniques.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of both panels, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background colors of each panel: red for the portrait and a muted beige/pink for the still life.
- step 03
Begin layering the skin tones of the portrait, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Paint the white ruff, using subtle grays and shadows to define the folds.
- step 05
Add details to the portrait panel, such as the gold trim and the pattern on the clothing.
- step 06
Paint the still life elements, focusing on accurate shapes and values.
- step 07
Add texture to the wooden panels using visible brushstrokes and dry brushing techniques.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed to match the original painting.
color palette
primary · red · yellow ochre · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · gray
Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, red, white, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the muted background colors by mixing white with small amounts of red, umber, and sienna.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·color mixing
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the portrait.
- →Ignoring subtle color variations in the skin tones.
- →Applying paint too thickly.
- →Not capturing the texture of the wooden panels.
materials
surface · stretched canvas or wood panel
required
- ·stretched canvas (or wood panel)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
- ·easel
Using a wood panel will more closely mimic the original artwork's surface. Consider using a slightly textured canvas to aid in achieving the desired brushstroke visibility.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
