plate no. 0053
Over My Dead Body
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing subtle light and shadow variations and creating soft, diffused edges to convey atmosphere. It also provides practice in painting figures in a loose, impressionistic style.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the doorway.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 03
Start building up the values in the background, focusing on the subtle shifts in tone.
- step 04
Begin to define the figure, paying attention to the folds of the dress and the way the light falls on it.
- step 05
Add details to the face and hair, keeping the brushstrokes loose and expressive.
- step 06
Refine the edges of the figure and the doorway, softening some areas and sharpening others.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Check for accuracy and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Achieve the muted tones by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber, black, and blue. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna sparingly to add warmth to certain areas.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·glazing
- ·soft edges
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Creating harsh edges that detract from the soft atmosphere.
- →Failing to capture the subtle value shifts in the background.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a smooth surface to facilitate blending. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base value.
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