plate no. 7893

Soapdish

Luigi Russolo, 1929

oilExpressionismnude painting (nu)figurenudegeometric shapesabstractportraitcubism

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in geometric abstraction, color mixing for skin tones, and understanding how to represent form through planes of color. It also encourages experimentation with composition and the interplay of positive and negative space.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic geometric structure of the composition, focusing on the overlapping diamond shapes.
step 02
Lightly sketch the figure within the geometric framework, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the background shapes, starting with the darkest values.
step 04
Mix skin tone colors and apply them to the figure, defining the planes of the body with subtle value changes.
step 05
Add the green and purple accents around the figure to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hair, paying attention to the expression.
step 07
Paint the circular elements with concentric rings of color, adding visual interest.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red · purple

Skin tones are achieved by mixing ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red and white. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. The green is a mix of blue and yellow, with a touch of black to darken.

techniques