plate no. 5234
The Fitting
Paula Rego, 1989
some experience helpful
This painting helps develop skills in depicting figures in perspective and creating the illusion of fabric folds and volume. It also encourages experimentation with color temperature and expressive brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and objects, focusing on proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, floor, and major elements like the dress and furniture.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the figures, focusing on facial features and clothing details.
- step 04
Develop the folds and shadows in the dress, using a combination of light and dark blues and whites.
- step 05
Add details to the background elements, such as the paintings and furniture.
- step 06
Refine the brushwork and add texture to the painting, using short, expressive strokes.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green
Mix various shades of blue and white for the dress. Use burnt umber and white for the skin tones, and mix greens and yellows for the floor.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushwork.
- →Not creating enough contrast in the dress folds.
- →Ignoring the perspective of the room.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·ruler
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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