plate no. 0747
«Chameleon»
Ludwiga Nesterovich, 1985
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering smooth gradients and capturing the texture of stone. It also provides practice in observing and depicting subtle color variations within a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes of the chameleon and the stones.
- step 02
Establish the background with a mid-tone gray.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas of the chameleon using light and dark browns.
- step 04
Start building up the layers of the chameleon's body, paying attention to the curved lines and patterns within the stone.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, focusing on the glossy areas.
- step 06
Paint the base stones, capturing their rough texture and color variations.
- step 07
Refine the details, such as the eye and the subtle color shifts in the chameleon's skin.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · sap green · yellow ochre
Mix raw umber and white for the lighter areas of the chameleon. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to the darker areas. Mix sap green and yellow ochre for the green stone.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·highlighting
- ·shadowing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the stone.
- →Making the highlights too stark or unnatural.
- →Ignoring the overall light and shadow patterns.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, sap green, yellow ochre)
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·water
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Using a smooth canvas will help achieve the polished look of the stone. Consider using a retarder medium to extend the drying time of the acrylics, allowing for easier blending.
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