plate no. 0139
Nude Od Man in the Sun
Marià Fortuny, 1873
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing light and shadow on the human form, and in using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic figure proportions and pose using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, warm tone, using visible brushstrokes.
- step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the figure with broad strokes of color.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on capturing the expression and likeness.
- step 05
Develop the details of the torso and limbs, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 06
Add highlights to the skin to create a sense of luminosity.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the figure, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and expressive result.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of burnt sienna and raw umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions and anatomy of the figure.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color that create form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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