plate no. 1137
Waitress
Mikhail Larionov, 1911
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing simplified figure drawing and capturing light and shadow with a limited palette. Students can learn to create form with visible brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of yellow ochre and raw umber.
- step 03
Establish the main values of the figures' clothing using dark blues, greens, and whites.
- step 04
Add highlights and shadows to create form, paying attention to the direction of light.
- step 05
Define the details of the faces and hands, keeping the brushstrokes loose and expressive.
- step 06
Paint the chair and other elements, simplifying their forms and colors.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details, adding texture with dry brush techniques.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · Prussian blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix various shades of blue and green by combining Prussian blue with yellow ochre and raw umber. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix burnt sienna with raw umber to create warm shadows.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·simplified forms
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Getting bogged down in precise rendering of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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