plate no. 1312
Il Bambolo
Manuela Sambo, 2016
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, particularly the rendering of skin tones and anatomical proportions, as well as practicing decorative details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figures and the circular composition.
- step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of yellow and brown.
- step 03
Establish the skin tones of the figures using a base of white and grey.
- step 04
Add shadows and highlights to define the forms of the figures.
- step 05
Paint the details of the foliage and the decorative elements.
- step 06
Outline the decorative elements with black paint.
- step 07
Refine the details of the faces and hands.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · black
secondary · sap green · red · blue · purple
Mix white with small amounts of black and yellow to achieve the pale skin tones. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the background, blending for a soft effect.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·detailing
- ·outlining
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and making them look muddy.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and volume.
- →Making the decorative elements too busy or distracting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas (circular)
required
- ·stretched canvas (circular)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·white gesso
optional
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
A circular canvas will best capture the original composition. Gesso the canvas for a smooth painting surface.
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