plate no. 3777
the starry Night
aket, 2021
some experience helpful
This painting helps students practice geometric abstraction and color blocking while understanding how to represent a recognizable subject in a non-realistic style. Students will also learn to create a cohesive composition with varied background elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic outline of the portrait and the geometric shapes within it.
- step 02
Divide the background into four quadrants and sketch the basic shapes for each.
- step 03
Apply the base colors to each geometric shape in the portrait, using a limited palette of browns and oranges.
- step 04
Add wood grain details to selected shapes using a fine brush and darker brown paint.
- step 05
Paint the background quadrants with their respective colors and patterns (blue swirls, yellow spiral, white and blue).
- step 06
Add the nail details using yellow paint.
- step 07
Outline each geometric shape with black paint to define the edges.
- step 08
Refine details and add highlights/shadows as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · cadmium orange · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · teal · black
Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt sienna with small amounts of ultramarine blue and white. Create lighter oranges by mixing cadmium orange with white.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·wood grain texture
- ·hard-edge painting
- ·spray paint application
common pitfalls
- →Uneven color application within the geometric shapes.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Overly complex wood grain details that distract from the overall composition.
- →Inconsistent line weight when outlining the shapes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·acrylic paints (burnt sienna, cadmium orange, ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre, teal, black)
- ·assorted paint brushes (small round, medium flat)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
- ·ruler
optional
- ·spray paint (blue, yellow)
- ·palette knife
- ·masking tape
Use high-quality acrylic paints for best results. Consider using a sealant or varnish to protect the finished painting.
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