plate no. 1590
Standing Nude
Alexandre Jacovleff, 1928
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, understanding light and shadow on the human form, and creating subtle color transitions to depict volume. It provides practice in rendering drapery and creating a sense of depth within a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of browns and reds.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figure using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Refine the figure's form by gradually building up layers of color and value, paying close attention to anatomical details.
- step 05
Add the drapery, focusing on capturing the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend transitions to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 07
Add final highlights and details to the figure and drapery.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmth and ultramarine blue to cool down shadows. The drapery is a mix of ultramarine blue, white, and a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Overly harsh or abrupt transitions between light and shadow.
- →Mixing muddy or dull colors.
- →Losing the overall form while focusing on small details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x36)
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 filbert brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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