plate no. 3637

Solitude

Victor Zaretsky, 1988

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)genre paintingfigurestill lifetabledishesinteriorportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing light and shadow with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figure, table, and objects.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of blue and violet.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the figure's clothing and hair.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the tabletop, capturing the patterns and textures.
step 05
Add details to the dishes and objects, paying attention to their forms.
step 06
Refine the figure's features and clothing folds.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details with small brushstrokes.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · emerald green · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · violet · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use violet and blue to create shadows and depth.

techniques