plate no. 1934

Maria

Lana Kanyo, 2019

oilContemporary Realismportraitfigureportraitmirrorroseslacehair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate skin tone mixing and rendering realistic fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating the illusion of depth and reflections.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figures and objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a base layer of dark, warm tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, gradually building up highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using thin brushes to create individual strands.
step 06
Paint the fabric, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Render the roses, paying attention to the subtle color variations and textures.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to the composition.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · sap green

Skin tones are achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Darker tones are created by adding ultramarine blue or alizarin crimson. The roses are a mix of cadmium red and alizarin crimson, with white for highlights.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figures.
→Overblending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Inaccurate skin tone mixing.
→Neglecting the subtle color variations in the fabric and roses.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, sap green)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags