Three Nudes by Bela Kadar

plate no. 1455

Three Nudes

Bela Kadar, 1916

oilExpressionismnude painting (nu)figuresnudestreesfoliagelandscape

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, mixing variations of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Add details to the figures, such as facial features and muscle definition, using simplified forms.
step 05
Develop the background foliage and tree shapes with bold brushstrokes.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending burnt sienna, raw umber, and titanium white, adding small amounts of cadmium red for warmth and ultramarine blue for cool shadows. Use yellow ochre and sap green to create the foliage.

techniques

·color mixing
·blocking in
·simplified forms
·impasto
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
→Getting the skin tones muddy by overmixing colors.
→Failing to simplify the forms and creating overly realistic figures.
→Ignoring the value structure and creating a flat, lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (#4, #8)
·flat brushes (#6, #10)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
·easel
·apron

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Acrylics are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →

chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Dolly Sisters

Dolly Sisters

Kees van Dongen

Nude with Loaves

Nude with Loaves

Jean Helion

My Father

My Father

Carlos Botelho

Helen

Helen

Chronis Botsoglou

The portrait painter in the country

The portrait painter in the country

Albin Egger-Lienz

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Maria Bozoky

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Paul Werner

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

James Ensor