plate no. 4990
Frank Lloyd and His Family in Paradise Island
Fernando Botero, 1972
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and understanding of how to create a sense of depth through layering and subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and background elements, paying attention to proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas for the skin tones, clothing, and background, focusing on overall color harmony.
- step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones with subtle variations in color and value, creating a sense of volume and form.
- step 04
Add details to the clothing, such as the polka dots on the woman's skirt and the texture of the man's suit.
- step 05
Paint the background elements, including the palm trees, pool, and other details, using a variety of greens and blues.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the painting.
- step 07
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and finished painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, adding small amounts of red or blue to adjust the hue. Achieve the various greens by mixing yellow and blue, and adjust with white or brown.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Not paying attention to proportions, leading to distorted figures.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the skin tones, resulting in flat and lifeless figures.
- →Rushing the process and not allowing enough time for each layer to dry.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 18x24
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Easel
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for best results. Consider using a medium to slow the drying time of the paints.
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