plate no. 8738

BREATH

Kexin Di, 2018

oilContemporary Realismportraitportraitfigurefaceclothingdark backgroundhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering form with light and shadow. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere with a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background with a thin layer of black paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the form of the clothing, using visible brushstrokes to suggest texture and movement.
step 06
Soften edges and blend transitions to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and clothing to enhance the sense of light.
step 08
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in tone to create depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of burnt umber, yellow ochre, or cadmium red light to create subtle skin tones.

techniques