plate no. 1195
Nude with a Flower
Georges Valmier, 1928
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand abstracting forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive composition. It also provides practice in creating smooth, flat color fields.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and outlines of the figure and background elements, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Divide the figure and background into distinct color areas as seen in the original.
- step 03
Mix the primary colors for the figure's skin tone and the background elements.
- step 04
Apply the base colors to each section, ensuring smooth, even coverage.
- step 05
Create the darker shadows and outlines using a slightly darker shade of the base colors.
- step 06
Add the details like the flower and the geometric patterns in the background.
- step 07
Refine the edges and shapes to match the original painting's style.
- step 08
Add a final layer of varnish to protect the painting and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · olive green · light pink · light blue · yellow
secondary · black · brown · green · purple
Mix the skin tones by combining white, pink, and a touch of olive green. Achieve the olive green by mixing yellow, blue, and a small amount of red.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·color blocking
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·smooth blending
- ·outlining
common pitfalls
- →uneven color application
- →inaccurate proportions
- →muddy color mixing
- →over-blending
- →losing the geometric structure
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·water
- ·pencil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
- ·masking tape
- ·varnish
Use high-quality acrylic paints for better color saturation and longevity. A smooth canvas surface will aid in achieving the flat color areas.
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