plate no. 3576

Vaslav Nijinsky in Danse Orientale

Jacques-Émile Blanche, 1910

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitfigureportraitdancercostumescreenornaments

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering complex textures and patterns, and creating depth through layering and subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness and expression of a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background screen and the figure's costume.
step 03
Develop the values and details of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Work on the intricate details of the costume, using layering and glazing techniques to create depth and richness.
step 05
Refine the background, adding details to the screen and creating a sense of depth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the figure and costume to enhance the three-dimensionality.
step 07
Pay attention to the details of the hands and feet.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · gold · red · black · skin tones

secondary · blue · brown · yellow ochre

Achieve the gold tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of white. Create depth in the reds by layering transparent glazes.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·portraiture
·rendering textures
·layering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Oversimplifying the details of the costume.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Creating a flat, lifeless painting by not using enough value contrast.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints: titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, ivory black
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife