plate no. 5511
Chudá žena
Josef Capek, 1917
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice simplifying shapes and creating subtle gradations in value. Students can learn to create a mood through limited color and careful blending.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: the overall triangular form of the figure, the head, and the position of the hands.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark gray, creating a lighter halo effect around the head.
- step 03
Paint the figure's robe with a flat black, leaving space for the blue shapes on the chest.
- step 04
Mix and apply the skin tone to the face, using light and shadow to define the features.
- step 05
Add the blue crescent shapes and the oval shape on the chest, blending the edges for a soft glow.
- step 06
Paint the hands with a light brown, suggesting the fingers with simple lines.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the values to create depth and form.
- step 08
Add subtle highlights to the face and hands to enhance the light source.
color palette
primary · black · gray · flesh tone
secondary · blue · light brown
The flesh tone can be achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The blue is a muted, grayish blue, achieved by mixing blue with a touch of black and gray.
techniques
- ·value blending
- ·shape simplification
- ·limited palette
- ·soft edges
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the face, losing the simplicity of the design.
- →Creating harsh edges between the shapes, making the painting look flat.
- →Using too much color, deviating from the muted palette.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle gradations of value in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Black paint
- ·White paint
- ·Gray paint
- ·Blue paint
- ·Round brushes
- ·Flat brushes
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Blending medium
- ·Retarder
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to facilitate blending. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils will allow for more blending time.
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