plate no. 6852

Marusia by the sea

David Burliuk, 1949

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitportraitflowersseaskyboatstill life

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in layering paint, creating texture with visible brushstrokes, and mixing colors to achieve a vibrant yet harmonious palette. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and creating depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the figure, flowers, sea, and other elements, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background (sky, sea), figure, flowers, and still life elements using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering paint on the figure, focusing on capturing the likeness and modeling the form with light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the floral arrangement, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and capture the variety of colors in the lilacs and other flowers.
step 05
Add details to the background, including the boat, clouds, and horizon line, using a similar broken brushstroke technique.
step 06
Work on the still life elements, such as the lemon and the vase, paying attention to their form and texture.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors, values, and details as needed to create a cohesive and visually appealing image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · titanium white

secondary · viridian · purple · burnt sienna

Achieve the lilac hues by mixing alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue with white. Create the sea and sky colors by blending ultramarine blue, white, and a touch of yellow. Use burnt sienna and white for the figure's skin tones, adjusting with small amounts of red or blue.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast in creating form and depth.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the painting process.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, titanium white, viridian, burnt sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels