plate no. 6242
Marcella
Christian Schad, 1926
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the cat and buildings.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: skin tones, dress, background buildings, and the black cat.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value to create a realistic effect.
- step 04
Develop the details of the dress, including the folds and shadows, and the flower.
- step 05
Work on the background buildings, using lighter tones and less detail to create a sense of depth.
- step 06
Add details to the cat, including the eyes, fur texture, and shadows.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced image.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · flesh tint · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · rose madder · cerulean blue · yellow ochre
Mix flesh tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create muted background colors by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·rendering
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations.
- →Making the background too detailed and distracting from the main subject.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the figure and the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
- ·painting easel
Use a smooth canvas for best results. Consider using a medium to slow down the drying time of the paints.
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