plate no. 8522
Avel Drknight
Victor Zaretsky, 1970
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning about expressive brushwork and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. Students can practice color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and use bold strokes to capture the subject's likeness.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, neck, and facial features.
- step 02
Block in the background with a solid layer of yellow paint.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the hair and eyebrows using dark blue.
- step 04
Mix skin tones using a combination of orange, red, brown, and white, and apply in broad strokes.
- step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with more precise brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add highlights to the face and hair to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the figure and background to create a sense of separation.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · raw umber
Mix skin tones by combining burnt sienna, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create darker values for shadows and hair.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the face.
- →Using too much paint, which can make the painting look heavy and overworked.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for expressive brushwork. Acrylics are faster drying, while oils allow for more blending.
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