
plate no. 0916
Oleksa Novakivskyi, 1933
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and texture. It also encourages observation of light and shadow to define the subject's features.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and bouquet.
Establish the background with broad strokes of color, focusing on the overall tone.
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, beard, and clothing.
Begin to define the forms with thicker, more expressive brushstrokes, paying attention to the direction of the strokes.
Mix and apply subtle variations of color to create depth and dimension.
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the contrast and create a sense of volume.
Refine the details of the face and hair, using smaller brushes to add texture and definition.
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and expressive result.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Create darker tones by adding black or ultramarine blue to the mixtures.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas
required
optional
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes and shapes to achieve a variety of textures.
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