plate no. 2065
The new kitten
Vittorio Matteo Corcos, 1895
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as capturing soft, diffused light and subtle color variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure and kitten.
- step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, focusing on the window and surrounding interior.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress and skin tones, using a limited palette.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form in the face and hands.
- step 05
Add details to the dress, capturing the folds and highlights with careful brushstrokes.
- step 06
Paint the kitten, paying attention to its fur texture and markings.
- step 07
Refine the details of the background and foreground, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
- step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall color harmony.
color palette
primary · titanium white · rose madder · yellow ochre · raw umber
secondary · cerulean blue · viridian · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and rose madder. Use raw umber to create shadows and depth. Mix white with rose madder to create the pinks of the dress.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering drapery
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the dress.
- →Getting lost in details too early and neglecting the overall composition.
- →Ignoring the importance of soft edges and diffused light.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·rose madder oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more harmonious color palette.
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