plate no. 9975

Nude in Profile

oil, canvasExpressionismnude painting (nu)figurenudetowelwallinteriortable

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and the background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall warm tone of the canvas with a thin wash of burnt sienna or raw umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure, the towel, and the background, focusing on the overall value relationships.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, using subtle variations of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Add details to the face, hands, and feet, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 06
Refine the background, adding texture and depth with broken brushstrokes and glazes.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of harmony and unity.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of red, yellow, and brown. Use thin glazes of color to build up depth and luminosity.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·soft blending
·color layering
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color.
→Creating harsh edges and losing the soft, atmospheric quality of the painting.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure before adding color.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·raw umber oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·linseed oil
·palette

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·easel

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.

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