plate no. 6608

Emma

canvasFauvismportraitportraitwomanfacefigureabstractbackground

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students will learn to capture a likeness using minimal details and bold color choices.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, neck, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with large areas of blue and red.
step 03
Apply the base skin tone to the face and neck, using a mix of white, yellow, and a touch of red.
step 04
Add shadows and highlights to the face using darker and lighter shades of the base skin tone.
step 05
Paint the hair using dark gray and black, with visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Define the eyes with bright blue, keeping the shapes simple.
step 07
Add small details like the lips and any subtle color variations.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · purple · black · gray

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a small amount of red. Create various shades of blue by adding black or white to ultramarine blue. Achieve purple by mixing red and blue.

techniques

·color blocking
·simplified shapes
·impasto
·visible brushstrokes
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplified style.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not capturing the basic proportions of the face.
→Blending too much, resulting in a lack of texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brush (size 6)
·flat brush (size 8)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·rags

optional

·easel
·medium gloss
·painting varnish

Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Acrylic paints are faster drying and easier to clean, while oil paints offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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