plate no. 4416
Dulcie
Matthew Smith, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice bold brushstrokes and explore color relationships to create form and shadow. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex shapes into basic forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the red background.
- step 03
Add the main colors of the figure's skin, clothing, and chair, focusing on the overall color scheme.
- step 04
Use bold brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
- step 05
Mix and apply secondary colors to create highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Add details to the face and clothing, using smaller brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the edges and shapes, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black
secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson
Mix greens from blue and yellow, and purples from red and blue. Use white to lighten colors, but avoid over-mixing to maintain vibrancy.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
- ·impasto
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Losing the vibrancy of the colors by over-mixing.
- →Not capturing the likeness of the figure.
- →Ignoring the overall composition and focusing too much on details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits (for oil paint cleanup)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for bold brushstrokes. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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