plate no. 7725
Meduza I
Józef Mehoffer, 1904
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, including color mixing for skin tones and rendering details like jewelry and snakes. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and the placement of the snakes.
- step 02
Block in the background with a warm, earthy tone.
- step 03
Establish the main skin tones using a limited palette of pinks, yellows, and whites.
- step 04
Paint the hair with variations of brown and gold, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Render the dress with a dark blue base, adding gold stripes and details.
- step 06
Carefully paint the jewelry, including the necklace, earrings, and brooch, using small brushes for detail.
- step 07
Add the snakes, focusing on their scales and patterns, using a mix of browns, yellows, and whites.
- step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to the face, hair, and clothing.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ivory black
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create the dark blue of the dress. Mix browns and yellows for the snakes.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·color mixing
- ·brushstroke texture
- ·rendering details
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face and body.
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Neglecting the details of the jewelry and snakes.
- →Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, ivory black)
- ·Assorted brushes (round, flat, detail)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paints and improve flow.
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