plate no. 5263
La revolte des Anges
Felix Labisse, 1952
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in rendering smooth skin tones and understanding subtle color variations to create depth. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms and focus on accurate proportions.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the three figures.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash.
- step 03
Block in the main skin tones for each figure, paying attention to the subtle color differences.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
- step 05
Add the details of the hair, jewelry, and other accessories.
- step 06
Paint the robes, using darker tones to create shadows and depth.
- step 07
Refine the edges and add highlights to create a sense of form.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · flesh tones (various mixes) · sky blue · brown
secondary · red · green · yellow ochre
Achieve flesh tones by mixing white with small amounts of red, yellow, and blue. Vary the proportions to create different skin tones for each figure. Mix blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of gray for a muted effect.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·portraiture
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Using too much paint and losing detail.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (small and medium)
- ·flat brushes (small and medium)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder
Use a smooth canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils allow for more blending.
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