plate no. 2657
Girl with Guitar
Aaron Shikler, 1967
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and textures through subtle color variations and brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the guitar.
- step 02
Establish the overall background color with a thin wash.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, guitar, and dress, using simplified color blocks.
- step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in value and color temperature.
- step 05
Develop the details of the dress, using broken color and varied brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the guitar, including the strings, frets, and tuning pegs.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color harmony.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix skin tones using a combination of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the dress's texture by layering different shades of yellow ochre and white, with touches of red for warmth.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figure.
- →Ignoring subtle shifts in value and color temperature.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff or unnatural appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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