plate no. 5527

Bathers

Konstantinos Parthenis, 1919

oil, canvasExpressionismnude painting (nu)figureslandscapewatertreeshillssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in blues and greens, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figures, hills, water, and trees.
step 02
Block in the basic colors for the sky, water, and land using diluted paint.
step 03
Start building up the colors in layers, focusing on the subtle shifts in value and hue.
step 04
Define the shapes of the figures with light and shadow, using a limited palette.
step 05
Add details to the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the reflections in the water, paying attention to the color and value.
step 07
Add the small details like the boat and figures in the background.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a sense of harmony.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · viridian green

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of blue and green by combining cerulean blue, viridian green, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create earth tones for the hills and trees. Alizarin crimson can be used sparingly to warm up the skin tones.

techniques