plate no. 3381
Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?
Paul Gauguin, 1898
experienced study
Students would develop skills in figure painting, color temperature relationships, and Post-Impressionist color theory through working with simplified forms and expressive rather than naturalistic color choices.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a detailed drawing establishing the composition and figure placement
- step 02
Block in the major color areas with flat tones, focusing on the warm figure tones
- step 03
Establish the background landscape with cooler blues and greens
- step 04
Define the white elements (clouds, bird) as negative shapes within the composition
- step 05
Develop the skin tones using warm ochres and oranges with cooler shadow areas
- step 06
Add the blue drapery and other accent colors
- step 07
Refine facial features and hands with careful observation
- step 08
Final adjustments to color relationships and edge quality
color palette
primary · raw sienna · cadmium orange · prussian blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Mix warm skin tones by combining raw sienna with cadmium orange and white; create cooler shadow tones by adding small amounts of blue or purple
techniques
- ·color temperature contrast
- ·simplified form modeling
- ·flat color application
- ·expressive color choices
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →overworking the brushstrokes
- →making colors too naturalistic
- →losing the flat decorative quality
- →poor figure proportions
materials
surface · primed canvas, medium texture
required
- ·oil paints in primary palette
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#4 flat brush
- ·#2 round brush
- ·canvas 18x24 or larger
- ·palette knife
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·painting medium
optional
- ·fan brush for texture
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Post-Impressionist style works well on canvas with some tooth to hold the paint application
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