plate no. 2289
Bildnis einer Ordensschwester in einem sommerlichen Garten
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric with visible brushstrokes. Students will also learn to simplify a background to emphasize the subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green and brown, suggesting foliage.
- step 03
Establish the main values of the face, using a limited palette of skin tones.
- step 04
Paint the white habit, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Refine the background, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Develop the dark clothing, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the face and clothing.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the greens by mixing sap green with cadmium yellow or ultramarine blue.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color temperature variation
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in the white habit.
- →Making the background too detailed, distracting from the figure.
- →Ignoring the effect of light and shadow on the form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, sap green, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue)
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#6, #8)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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