plate no. 5064
Kiss
Vsevolod Maksymovych, 1913
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and in creating repetitive patterns with slight variations. It also encourages exploration of stylized figurative representation.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figures and the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the background by painting the base color and then adding the circular pattern, varying the size and spacing of the circles.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of the figures with a base color, paying attention to the light and shadow areas.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to build depth and dimension in the figures, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figures, such as the hair and facial features, using smaller brushes.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of volume.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.
- step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber
secondary · red oxide · ivory black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of black or white. Use thin glazes of color to build depth and create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·pattern repetition
- ·color layering
- ·contour shading
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Making the circular pattern too uniform and losing the organic feel.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat image.
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong, leading to an unnatural look.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (ochre, burnt sienna, raw umber, red oxide, ivory black)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with gesso before painting.
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