plate no. 7992
Face of the Past
Nina Tokhtaman Valetova, 2013
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the face and the major geometric shapes.
- step 02
Divide the face and background into distinct color zones based on the original painting.
- step 03
Begin by painting the largest color areas, working from light to dark or vice versa.
- step 04
Carefully fill in each section with the appropriate color, ensuring clean edges.
- step 05
Mix colors precisely to match the original painting's palette.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the color blocks to define the facial features.
- step 07
Add final details to the eyes and other key areas.
- step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish for protection.
color palette
primary · red · orange · yellow · green
secondary · brown · dark brown
Achieve the various shades of red, orange, and yellow by mixing primary colors. Use white to lighten and black or burnt umber to darken the colors. Mix browns by combining red, yellow, and blue.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·hard-edge painting
- ·color mixing
- ·glazing (optional)
- ·underpainting
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate color matching
- →Uneven paint application
- →Blurred edges between color blocks
- →Overworking the painting
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (red, orange, yellow, green, brown, white, black)
- ·Set of flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette for mixing paints
- ·Palette knife
- ·Ruler
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Medium (for oil paints)
- ·Varnish (for final protection)
- ·Easel
Use good quality paints for better color saturation and longevity. Consider using a gessoed canvas for better paint adhesion.
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