plate no. 4323
The Kiss
Rose O'Neill, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering form with hatching and cross-hatching, as well as creating a sense of depth and atmosphere with subtle tonal variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the background tone with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
- step 03
Begin building up the darker areas of the hair and shadows using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
- step 04
Gradually add lighter tones to the faces and bodies, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
- step 05
Refine the details of the hair and facial features, using finer lines and more delicate shading.
- step 06
Add any final highlights or accents to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the values and tones.
- step 08
Consider adding a light glaze to unify the colors and create a more harmonious effect.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre
Mix burnt umber and ivory black for dark areas. Use raw sienna and titanium white for highlights. Yellow ochre can be added to raw sienna for warmer skin tones.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·tonal shading
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
- →Creating harsh lines or edges that detract from the softness of the image.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat or muddy appearance.
- →Using too much black, which can make the painting look heavy and lifeless.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (small sizes)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·soft blending brush
A smooth canvas surface will be ideal for achieving the fine details and subtle shading in this painting. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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