Painting How To
How to Paint a Woman’s Back in Oils: Step-by-Step
Morning – Oil Painting Demonstration
First published 2009
Something a little different
I thought it was time to mix it up a little bit after a year of still life paintings.
I like to linger on figurative paintings. In this case, my beautiful wife—the love of my life for more than 25 years—is my model. This is a moment from her morning routine. Everyday life can be so rich with wonderful moments. I love the “S” curve of her back and the contrast of texture and soft cool color of the walls and towel against the warmth of her skin.
STEP 1: Drawing on canvas
I draw with graphite pencil on a white-primed linen panel. This is the foundation of the painting and when I play with and refine the composition. The goal of this painting is capturing a moment in my wife’s morning routine. I love the curve of her back and the contrast of texture and soft, cool color of the walls and towel against the warmth of her skin.
STEP 2: Block-in and underpainting with wash
I then applied washes of burnt umber with a hint of yellow ochre. There’s also a touch of Prussian blue near the lower left corner of the painting. After allowing the washes to dry slightly, I used a lift technique to depict the highlights, indicating the primary, overhead light source. To lift the underpainting, I employed various tools like paper towels, brushes, and even my fingertips—anything that could help me achieve the desired shape and texture. Throughout this process, my primary focus has been on maintaining the integrity of the drawing and composition.
STEP 3: Underpainting continues
I’m focusing on the bright overhead light and reflections in the bathroom. I’m using a lifting technique to create highlights by rubbing away the underpainting, letting the white primer show through for different color values. It’s like drawing with a dry brush, paper towels, and fingers.
Once done, the painting will show how texture, color temperature, and light interact. I’m excited about the mix of cool wall colors, the towel’s texture, and the model’s warm back. Right now, you can’t see much color interplay since I haven’t added much yet, but it’ll be worth it if everything goes well.
STEP 4: Refining
More color is beginning to appear. This painting is all about warm against cool color and the values cast by the light. I am keeping the color thin to take advantage of the linen texture. I really don’t want the brush strokes to distract from areas of softness.
STEP 5: Finishing touches
I have slowly and carefully added more opaque color to the walls, mirror, towel, and especially to my wife’s back. Most of the color is scrubbed on in thin layers. Building the form as if sculpting it.
With adding a few details, refining, working on the edges and highlights, and Morning is completed.
Morning
20×16 inches
Oil on Linen Panel
STEP 6: Finished – Morning
Morning
20×16 inches | Oil on Linen Panel
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As always I see your new figurative art is going to be a masterpiece. I look forward to seeing the progress of it. Please be sure to keep the FB Sensual Arts group posted. And if you will please post the final piece on the gallery.
Michael, thank you so much for sharing this link.
Cheers!
D’Ann