plate no. 5843
Character with Cup
Stefan Caltia, 2004
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures with stylized proportions and creating depth using subtle color variations. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and textures with visible brushstrokes.
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 of the figure, curtain, and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall warm brown background with a thin wash.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure's dress and skin tones.
- step 04
Add the blue patterns to the dress, paying attention to their placement and shape.
- step 05
Develop the details of the face, feather, and hands.
- step 06
Paint the curtain with loose, flowing brushstrokes, capturing the highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Refine the details of the cup and tray.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and form.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of red. The dress pattern is created with mixes of ultramarine blue and white. The background is a blend of raw umber and yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color blending
- ·glazing
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly feel.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the background.
- →Making the dress pattern too uniform and flat.
- →Struggling with the proportions of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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