plate no. 6272

Seated Figure of Summer

oil, canvasMannerism (Late Renaissance)allegorical paintingfruitvegetablesallegorical figurelandscapeskyarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in rendering complex forms through careful observation of light and shadow, as well as building up layers of color to achieve realistic textures. Students will also learn about creating depth and atmosphere in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figure and landscape.
step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the fruits and vegetables, paying attention to their individual forms and how they connect to create the figure.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the background landscape, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Start layering colors on the fruits and vegetables, building up highlights and shadows to create volume and texture.
step 05
Pay close attention to the details of each object, such as the skin of the fruits, the texture of the leaves, and the reflections of light.
step 06
Refine the details of the landscape, adding highlights to the clouds and creating a sense of distance.
step 07
Add final touches to the figure, such as the eyes and mouth, to bring the character to life.
step 08
Glaze the entire painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and cadmium red. Use white to create highlights and sap green and ultramarine blue for cooler shadows.

techniques