plate no. 6354
Salome
Nelson Shanks, 2007
experienced study
Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate skin tone mixing and rendering of complex textures like fabric and jewelry. It also provides practice in capturing realistic light and shadow on the human form.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a detailed sketch, paying close attention to proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Establish the background colors and major shapes.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of skin tone, using a limited palette.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, focusing on accurate value and color transitions.
- step 05
Add the details of the clothing, jewelry, and mask, paying attention to texture and light.
- step 06
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Apply a final glaze to unify the colors and add a subtle sheen.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian · alizarin crimson · burnt umber
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of blue or umber. Greens are created by mixing blue and yellow, and adjusting with red or umber for muted tones.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·color mixing
- ·rendering
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Neglecting the importance of accurate value relationships.
- →Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for capturing the details of the painting.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
