plate no. 2682

Kiss

Eliseu Visconti, 1909

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresrosesembracehairclothinglove

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, blending skin tones, and capturing soft, diffused light. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric and hair with loose brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the bouquet.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of warm browns and reds, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main skin tones, using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in value and color.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, using loose brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the fabric.
step 06
Paint the roses, focusing on capturing their delicate petals and soft colors.
step 07
Refine the hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and texture.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use viridian and white for the ribbons. Mix various shades of pink for the roses by combining red and white, with hints of yellow or blue for variation.

techniques

·blending
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→over-blending skin tones
→getting lost in details too early
→not establishing a strong value structure
→inaccurate proportions of the figures

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, viridian, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil or other painting medium
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags