plate no. 7104
Anthropophagy
Tarsila do Amaral, 1929
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing simplified form representation and color blocking. Students can learn to create depth using subtle value changes within flat color areas.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly onto the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, ground, figure, and foliage.
- step 03
Refine the shapes of the figure and plants, paying attention to the simplified forms.
- step 04
Add subtle shading to the figure to create dimension.
- step 05
Define the edges of the shapes with slightly darker or lighter tones.
- step 06
Paint the details of the orange.
- step 07
Add any final touches and corrections.
color palette
primary · orange · green · blue
secondary · yellow · red
Mix different shades of orange by adding small amounts of red or yellow. Create the greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the tone with white or black.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified form
- ·subtle shading
- ·flat color application
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes and forms.
- →Using too many colors and losing the simplicity of the palette.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
- →Not paying attention to the overall balance of the composition.
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)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder
Use good quality paints for best results. A medium can be used to thin the paints and improve flow.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
