plate no. 5426

Skinny Woman

John Currin, 1992

oil, linenContemporary Realismportraitfigureportraitwomanclothingskinface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms and understanding the interplay of light and shadow on the human figure.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the background, clothing, and skin with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic value structure by adding darker shadows and lighter highlights.
step 04
Refine the skin tones by layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Pay close attention to the facial features, capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as folds and wrinkles, to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to achieve a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various combinations of white, umber, and red to achieve the different skin tones. Use blue and yellow ochre to create the cool grays in the hair. Add black to umber for the darks in the clothing.

techniques