plate no. 1810
Rouva Kallion Muotokuva
Sallinen Tyko, 1917
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice portrait proportions and capturing a likeness with simplified shapes and visible brushstrokes. Students can learn to mix subtle skin tones and create depth with a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark blue, leaving some areas lighter.
- step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face using a mid-tone grey-blue.
- step 04
Mix skin tones by combining white, blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
- step 05
Apply the skin tones with visible brushstrokes, following the form of the face.
- step 06
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, using darker values for shadows and lighter values for highlights.
- step 07
Paint the hair with dark brown and blue, using short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add highlights and texture to the clothing with lighter blues and whites.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by combining white, blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Using too much detail, losing the expressive quality of the painting.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·painting medium
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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