plate no. 6655

Portrait of Mila Skukan (born Dobrosavljević) alla prima

oilContemporary Realismportraitportraitfigurefacehairclothingperson

some experience helpful

This painting is a great exercise in alla prima portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and form with direct painting. Students will learn to mix skin tones and simplify details for a quick, expressive portrait.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and placement of the figure on the canvas with a light wash of burnt umber.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the face, hair, and clothing using simplified color masses.
step 03
Start refining the skin tones by mixing various shades of pink, yellow, and brown, applying them with short, directional brushstrokes.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using a smaller brush to create texture and volume.
step 06
Work on the clothing, using a similar approach of blocking in the main shapes and then adding details.
step 07
Refine the background color, ensuring it complements the overall color scheme.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use blue to neutralize the tones and create shadows.

techniques

·alla prima
·color mixing
·directional brushstrokes
·value studies
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the alla prima approach.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
→Not paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits