plate no. 7061
Bather
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice realistic figure painting, including skin tones and anatomy, as well as creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: figure, tree, and background.
- step 02
Block in the main colors of the background, including the sky, trees, and ground.
- step 03
Begin painting the figure, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
- step 04
Carefully mix skin tones using a limited palette and blend smoothly.
- step 05
Add the white cloth and hat, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Let the painting dry and add a varnish for protection.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black
secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow light · raw sienna
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use cerulean blue and white for the sky. Create greens by mixing yellow and black.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure
- →Muddy skin tones
- →Overblending
- →Ignoring subtle value changes
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20) is recommended.
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