plate no. 7366

Leo Ornstein at the Piano

Leon Kroll, 1918

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigurepianoportraitmusicinterior

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in capturing a likeness and rendering fabric textures, as well as understanding light and shadow on a human form. Students will also learn to create depth through layering and color temperature.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the piano.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the background with a thin layer of blue and gray.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with the mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Render the piano, focusing on the wood grain and reflective surfaces.
step 07
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the darker tones in the background and piano. Add white to lighten the blues and create variations.

techniques

·portraiture
·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Ignoring the light source and creating flat, unconvincing shadows.
→Getting lost in details too early.
→Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (raw umber, ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ivory black, cadmium red light)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags