plate no. 3745
Greek beauty
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the oval shape of the canvas and the basic proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the main features of the face: eyes, nose, mouth, and hair.
- step 03
Block in the background with a light, warm color, creating a soft halo around the figure.
- step 04
Establish the main skin tones using a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
- step 05
Paint the headscarf with a mix of red and white, adding subtle variations in color.
- step 06
Add shadows and highlights to the face and clothing to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle nuances of expression.
- step 08
Soften the edges of the forms and blend the colors to create a smooth, painterly effect.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red, with small amounts of blue or umber for shadows. The background is a warm, muted tone created by mixing yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·soft edges
- ·color mixing
- ·portrait sketching
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing
- →Creating harsh edges
- →Getting the proportions wrong
materials
surface · stretched oval canvas
required
- ·stretched oval canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing and create a harmonious painting. Consider using a toned canvas to create a warmer base.
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