plate no. 9005
Reclining Nude
Roderic O'Conor, 1906
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in rendering the human form with subtle color variations and loose brushwork. Students will learn to capture light and shadow on skin and create a sense of depth through color temperature.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and furniture.
- step 02
Establish the background colors, blocking in the general tones of the wall and furniture.
- step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, focusing on the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Define the form of the figure by adding shadows and highlights, paying attention to the light source.
- step 05
Add details to the furniture and background, using loose brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the edges of the figure and objects, softening or sharpening them as needed.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · alizarin crimson
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow
Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and umber. Use blue and umber to create cooler shadows. Mix yellow and white for highlights on the pillow.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·loose brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle color variations.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges that flatten the form.
- →Ignoring the light source and creating inconsistent shadows.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·color chart
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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