plate no. 6755
Standing Nude
Marcel Duchamp, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, understanding light and shadow, and using expressive brushstrokes to create form and texture. It also encourages exploration of a limited color palette to achieve a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic figure proportions and pose on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the background shapes and the large shadow area.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color on the figure, focusing on the overall warm tones.
- step 04
Begin to build up layers of paint, using short, expressive brushstrokes to define the form.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the highlights and shadows on the figure, using darker tones to create depth.
- step 06
Refine the edges of the figure and the background, softening some areas and sharpening others.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the subtle variations in color and texture.
- step 08
Let the painting dry and add a varnish for protection.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium orange · sap green
Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the darker shadows. Add titanium white to create lighter skin tones. Use cadmium orange sparingly for highlights. Mix sap green with umber for the head covering.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·broken color
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing on the palette.
- →Ignoring the importance of the shadow areas in defining the form.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium orange oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushwork. Consider using a slightly toned canvas to create a warmer base.
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