plate no. 5091

Illustration for "The tale of three royal divah and the Ivashko priest's son"

Ivan Bilibin, 1911

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationfiguresinteriorfolkloreBaba Yagaillustration

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice figure drawing and rendering textures with a limited color palette. Students can learn to create depth and interest through subtle variations in tone and line work.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and the room's layout.
step 02
Outline the key details of the figures, including the clothing, facial features, and Baba Yaga's skeletal form.
step 03
Apply a base layer of color to the background and figures, focusing on the overall tones.
step 04
Add shading and highlights to create depth and form, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Develop the textures of the clothing, walls, and floorboards using fine lines and small brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and hands, adding subtle expressions and gestures.
step 07
Add the decorative patterns on the clothing and furniture.
step 08
Finalize the linework and add any remaining details.

color palette

primary · ivory · blue · brown

secondary · red · green

Mix ivory with small amounts of brown and blue to create the various skin tones and shadows. Use a muted red for the accents on the clothing.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·dry brushing
·layering
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the color palette.
→Losing the proportions of the figures.
→Ignoring the light source and creating flat, uninteresting forms.
→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·graphite pencils
·ivory paint
·blue paint
·brown paint
·red paint
·small round brushes
·medium flat brush

optional

·palette knife
·retarder medium
·linseed oil

Use high-quality paints to achieve the best color saturation and longevity. A smooth canvas surface will be easier to work with for the detailed linework.

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