plate no. 8736

The Nymph Callisto

oilRococomythological paintingfigureportraitnymphanimal printheadbandmythology

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting textures, such as hair and fur.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin, even layer of a neutral gray-brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing, using thin washes.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 06
Add details to the hair, creating texture and volume with small brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the animal print, focusing on the shapes and patterns of the spots.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding final details.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use varying amounts of white to create highlights and shadows. Mix black and raw umber for the darker areas of the animal print.

techniques