plate no. 3679

Sukirah

Felix Labisse, 1977

oilSurrealismnude painting (nu)figureportraitnudeskyhairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in smooth blending, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a surreal atmosphere. It also provides practice in portraiture and figure painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hair.
step 02
Block in the background with a light wash of the sky and horizon colors.
step 03
Apply a base coat of blue to the figure, establishing the overall skin tone.
step 04
Mix and apply subtle variations of blue to create form and dimension in the face and body.
step 05
Paint the hair with dark browns and blacks, adding highlights to create shine and depth.
step 06
Carefully paint the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add the pink details to the lips and nipples.
step 08
Refine the details and blend the edges for a smooth, polished finish.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · black

secondary · raw umber · pink · purple

Mix cerulean blue with white for the base skin tone, adding small amounts of black or purple to create shadows. Use raw umber and white for the background, and mix pink with white for the lips and nipples.

techniques