plate no. 5888

Nadége with dimija

oil, canvasContemporary Realismportraitfigureportraitbuildingflowersgardendress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for skin tones and fabric, and creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject rather than hyper-realistic detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the surrounding buildings.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the background, figure, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up the layers of color on the figure, focusing on the light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the face, hair, and clothing, using small brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the background, adding details to the buildings, flowers, and foliage.
step 06
Refine the painting, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 07
Add final details and highlights.
step 08
Let dry and varnish (optional).

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · violet

Mix white with small amounts of red, yellow, and blue to create skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the dress, adding touches of other colors to create variation. Mix greens with blue, yellow, and brown for the foliage.

techniques