plate no. 3782

Nu aux Hortensias

Jean Metzinger, 1935

oilNeoclassicismnude painting (nu)figurenudechairflowersportraitdrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering form with subtle value changes and understanding how light interacts with different surfaces. It also provides practice in creating a cohesive color scheme with limited hues.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure, chair, and background elements, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and drapery with a dark neutral color.
step 03
Block in the general skin tones of the figure, using a base color of yellow and white.
step 04
Begin to add shadows and highlights to the figure, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Work on the chair, using a range of grays and browns to create depth and form.
step 06
Add the floral elements in the background, using a limited palette of muted colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the figure, chair, and background, paying attention to edges and textures.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · pink

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Create skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, titanium white, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the gray tones.

techniques

·value studies
·blending
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the blending, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a lack of depth.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, disrupting the muted palette.
→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch, affecting the overall composition.