plate no. 5906

Haremsdame

Nasreddine Dinet, 1929

oil, cardboardOrientalismnude painting (nu)figureflowersinteriorstepsdraperygold

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly rendering skin tones in low light, and creating depth through layering and subtle color variations. Students will also learn to simplify complex details and focus on capturing the overall mood and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main elements of the background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darkest tones and gradually adding lighter values.
step 04
Develop the figure, paying attention to the subtle shifts in skin tone and the highlights on the jewelry.
step 05
Add details to the background, such as the patterns on the wall and the folds in the drapery.
step 06
Paint the flowers, focusing on capturing their form and color without getting too detailed.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red or yellow ochre to warm up the browns, and ultramarine blue to cool them down. Use white to create lighter values and highlights.

techniques

·grisaille underpainting
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Getting bogged down in details too early in the painting process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Overworking the colors and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Not paying enough attention to the subtle shifts in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·cadmium red oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·turpentine

Use a canvas with a smooth surface to allow for subtle blending and glazing. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting to paint.

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