plate no. 0200
Resting Soldier
Mikhail Larionov, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and volume. It also encourages experimentation with color and capturing a mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color with thin washes, establishing the overall color scheme.
- step 03
Begin adding layers of paint, building up the forms and defining the light and shadow.
- step 04
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
- step 05
Pay attention to the details of the figure's face and clothing.
- step 06
Add the background elements, such as the shovel and the wall.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the overall balance of the painting.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · red · green · grey · brown
secondary · white · black · ochre
Mix various shades of grey by combining white, black, and a touch of blue or brown. Achieve the red tones by mixing crimson and a touch of brown to mute the intensity. Mix greens by combining yellow and blue, adjusting the proportions for different shades.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Not paying attention to the overall color harmony.
- →Failing to simplify the forms and shapes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (red, green, grey, brown, white, black, ochre)
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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