plate no. 7214

The student

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurestill lifesculpturetablegeometric shapes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal painting, understanding of light and shadow, and creating depth with a limited color palette. It also encourages careful observation of form and proportion.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition: the figure, sculpture, bottle, and triangle.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Begin blocking in the mid-tones on the figure, sculpture, and bottle, focusing on the light source.
step 04
Mix lighter tones for the highlights on the skin and objects, gradually building up the form.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and geometric shapes.
step 06
Adjust the values and edges to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add subtle color variations to the skin tones and background.
step 08
Apply a final glaze to unify the painting and enhance the shadows.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white

Mix raw umber and ivory black for the darkest shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for the highlights on the skin and bottle. Burnt sienna can be added to warm up the skin tones.

techniques