plate no. 2227
Nud in fotoliu
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying forms and using expressive brushstrokes to convey shape and texture. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a figure rather than precise realism.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and chair, focusing on proportions.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: blue for the background, red for the lower body, and yellow/orange for the upper body.
- step 03
Add darker tones to define shadows and volume on the figure and chair.
- step 04
Introduce secondary colors like green and brown in the chair and background to add depth.
- step 05
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
- step 06
Refine the edges of the figure and chair, but maintain a loose and expressive style.
- step 07
Add small details to suggest the form of the figure without over-defining it.
- step 08
Step back and adjust the overall balance of colors and values.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre
secondary · viridian green · burnt umber
Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of red and burnt umber to create the skin tones. Use white to lighten the blue for the background highlights. Mix green and burnt umber for shadows in the chair.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·simplifying forms
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive style.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (cerulean blue, cadmium red, yellow ochre, viridian green, burnt umber, titanium white)
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, but oils offer richer colors and blending.
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