plate no. 7633
Naked
Adalbert Erdeli, 1930
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, particularly achieving harmonious greens and blues, and understanding how to suggest form with simplified shapes and visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting the human figure in a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, trees, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, trees, ground, and figure, using diluted paint.
- step 03
Begin layering greens for the foliage, varying the shades and tones to create depth.
- step 04
Develop the sky with blues, whites, and hints of purple, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the figure's form with subtle variations in green and shadow.
- step 06
Add details to the trees, such as branches and leaves, using darker greens and browns.
- step 07
Introduce the red/orange accents in the foreground.
- step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to color, value, and detail.
color palette
primary · viridian green · cerulean blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · burnt umber
Mix various shades of green by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and white. Achieve the sky blues by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of purple. Use burnt umber to darken greens and create shadows.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·simplified form
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Getting bogged down in details and losing the overall impression.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#6 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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