plate no. 7756
Nude
Mario Eloy, 1932
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering skin tones with visible brushstrokes and understanding basic human anatomy. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth using subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic figure outline and proportions on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the background with dark greens and blues, varying the tones slightly.
- step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the figure using a mid-tone skin color.
- step 04
Begin layering in warmer and cooler tones to create depth and form in the skin.
- step 05
Add highlights to the face, chest, and arms to emphasize the light source.
- step 06
Define the facial features with subtle details, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
- step 07
Refine the hair with short, expressive brushstrokes.
- step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to achieve a harmonious balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian green
Mix skin tones by blending white, burnt sienna, and small amounts of red and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and viridian green to create the darker background tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·modeling form
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature across the figure.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure incorrect.
- →Making the background too uniform and lacking depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·color chart
Use a medium-grit canvas for better paint adhesion. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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