
plate no. 3260
Students would develop skills in tonal painting with limited color palettes and learn to create strong compositions through value contrast and careful placement of forms.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Begin with a careful contour drawing, focusing on accurate proportions and placement
Block in the major shapes with flat tones - the figure in dark values, wall in mid-tones
Establish the strong value pattern between the black dress and grey wall
Paint the background wall with subtle gradations from light to darker grey
Develop the figure's form with careful attention to the silhouette and minimal modeling
Add the white cap and collar details with precise brushwork
Paint the chair pattern with small, controlled brushstrokes
Refine edges and add final details like the framed picture and floor reflections
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Create various greys by mixing black and white with tiny amounts of warm or cool colors; use raw umber for the warmer darks
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas primed with neutral grey ground
required
optional
A toned canvas helps establish the middle values immediately and reduces the stark contrast of white canvas
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