plate no. 2390
Christine Lavant
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand the use of negative space and bold lines to create form and expression. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex shapes into basic black and white areas.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the head, hand, and shoulders.
- step 02
Identify the main areas of light and shadow on the face and hand.
- step 03
Begin filling in the large areas of black, starting with the background and clothing.
- step 04
Use bold, deliberate brushstrokes to define the facial features and hair, following the direction of the forms.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the negative space around the face and hand, using it to further define the shapes.
- step 06
Add texture to the black areas by varying the direction and pressure of your brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the white areas to create a crisp, clean look.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the lines in the forehead and around the eyes.
color palette
primary · black · white
secondary ·
No mixing required, just use black and white directly from the tube.
techniques
- ·negative space
- ·bold linework
- ·dry brush texture
- ·simplification of form
- ·high contrast
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the image.
- →Creating muddy or undefined edges.
- →Not paying attention to the negative space.
- →Making the white areas too uniform and lacking texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Canvas or heavy paper
- ·Black acrylic or oil paint
- ·White acrylic or oil paint
- ·Assorted paintbrushes (small and medium)
- ·Palette
- ·Water or solvent (depending on paint type)
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
Using a slightly textured canvas can enhance the dry brush effect.
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