plate no. 0631
Bather
Herbert James Draper, 1896
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, particularly rendering skin tones and anatomy, and in creating atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the figure's pose and the basic landscape elements.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, water, rocks, sky, and drapery.
- step 03
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle shifts in value and color.
- step 04
Develop the background landscape, using lighter values and softer edges to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 05
Add details to the rocks and drapery, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the figure's features and anatomy, paying attention to proportions and details.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · alizarin crimson
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · cadmium yellow
Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the water color by mixing ultramarine blue, viridian green, and white. Create the sky with varying amounts of ultramarine blue and white.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·skin tone rendering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges that flatten the figure.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth in the background.
- →Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions and anatomy.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, raw umber, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, viridian green, cadmium yellow)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the paints.
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