plate no. 8912

My song

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)genre paintingfiguresportraitskycloudsbirdclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practice blending and layering techniques to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the sky and clouds.
step 03
Begin to build up the skin tones of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing and hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add the bird, focusing on its delicate features and plumage.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces, capturing the expressions and likeness of the subjects.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre. Mix blues and whites for the sky, and add small amounts of umber for cloud shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·layering
·color mixing
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Over-blending, resulting in a lack of texture and depth.
→Using colors straight from the tube without proper mixing.
→Neglecting the subtle variations in skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ivory black)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags