plate no. 4186

Rest

Jose Higuera, 2013

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfigurechildportraitfabricballred

experienced study

This painting offers a great opportunity to practice portraiture, color mixing, and creating depth through layering and brushwork. Students can develop skills in capturing realistic skin tones and rendering fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of red and blue, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Define the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Render the fabric of the clothing and bedding, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add the finishing touches, such as the ball and any remaining details.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the blues in the background by mixing ultramarine blue and white, and the reds by mixing cadmium red with alizarin crimson.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows and highlights.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Losing the sense of depth in the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (cadmium red, ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags