plate no. 7078
The Spinner
Alexey Venetsianov, 1839
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding subtle value shifts to create form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the spinning tool.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of warm brown tones.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, clothing, and tool.
- step 04
Begin layering skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as the folds and wrinkles.
- step 07
Paint the spinning tool, focusing on its texture and form.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red
Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue to create the darker tones in the clothing and shadows.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle value shifts that create form.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paints and improve blending.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
