plate no. 7179
Tyttö Riekkalasta
Sallinen Tyko, 1914
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for skin tones and capturing form with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex subjects into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and moving to the figure.
- step 03
Mix and apply skin tones, focusing on the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
- step 05
Define the clothing and other elements of the composition, paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and apply a protective varnish.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · viridian
Mix pinks by combining white with alizarin crimson and a touch of ultramarine blue. Create skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a small amount of ultramarine blue or burnt umber.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·color mixing
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Focusing too much on detail and losing the overall impression.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting knife
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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