plate no. 8171

Takeoff

Nina Tokhtaman Valetova, 2010

oil, canvas, boardMagic Realismmythological paintingfigurebirdsnakedoggeometric patternsmythological

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, geometric pattern creation, and depicting figures in dynamic poses. It will also encourage experimentation with surreal and imaginative compositions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, snake, and dog.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background geometric patterns, using simplified shapes.
step 03
Begin refining the shapes of the figure, paying attention to anatomy and proportion.
step 04
Add details to the snake and dog, including scales and fur texture.
step 05
Mix and apply the various shades of red for the figure, creating depth and form.
step 06
Develop the color variations within the geometric patterns, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Refine the details of the rose and other small elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall contrast and visual interest.

color palette

primary · red · blue · black · white

secondary · green · purple · orange

Achieve the various shades of red by mixing primary red with white, black, and small amounts of orange or purple. Create the checkered patterns by mixing blues, purples, and greens with white and black to achieve different values.

techniques

·color blocking
·geometric pattern creation
·figure drawing
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the geometric patterns early on.
→Getting the figure's proportions incorrect.
→Using colors that are too saturated and lack subtlety.
→Ignoring the interplay of light and shadow.
→Not planning the composition before starting to paint.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints (red, blue, black, white, green, purple, orange)
·assorted paint brushes (small round, medium flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

·retarder medium
·varnish
·easel

Using a medium to slow down the drying time of the paints can be helpful for blending and creating smooth transitions. A palette knife can be used to create texture and apply paint in a more expressive way.

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