plate no. 6991
House Mariduque
Fernando Botero, 1970
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and objects, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Block in the main colors of the background, walls, and floor.
- step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones of the figures, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Paint the clothing and other fabrics, focusing on the folds and textures.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, hair, and accessories.
- step 06
Paint the still life elements, such as the bottles and the cat.
- step 07
Add the small details like the flies and the cigarettes.
- step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting colors, values, and details as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · ivory black
Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and viridian green to create the various greens in the painting. Vary the intensity of colors by mixing in small amounts of complementary colors.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →overworking the painting
- →getting the proportions wrong
- →not paying attention to the values
- →making the skin tones look flat
- →inaccurate color mixing
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are easier to clean up, but oils allow for more blending time.
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