plate no. 7489

Painter and reclining model

Rafael Zabaleta, 1942

oil, canvasExpressionismgenre paintingfigureartistmodelinteriorpaintingflowers

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting the human form with expressive brushstrokes and understanding complex interior compositions with multiple focal points. Students will also learn to mix colors to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the large shapes and values.
step 03
Develop the background elements, such as the window and the walls, using loose brushstrokes.
step 04
Refine the figures, paying attention to the anatomy and the play of light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the still life elements, such as the flowers and the table.
step 06
Build up layers of paint to create texture and depth.
step 07
Pay attention to the color relationships and adjust the values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian · raw umber

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and blue. Achieve the blues and greens of the background by mixing ultramarine blue and viridian with white. Use raw umber to create shadows and darker tones.

techniques

·impasto
·scumbling
·broken color
·alla prima
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the color relationships and creating a muddy effect.
→Getting lost in the details and losing sight of the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, viridian, raw umber)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags