The Process w/ Vitaliy Shtanko - Underpainting Pt.3

An installment in The Process related content featured on The FAA Collective Patreon

Dear Patrons,

Thank you for your support! We would also like to take the time to warmly welcome our new patrons to The FAA Collective Community! This week we are very excited to present you with the third and final installment to The Process w/ Vitaliy Shtanko - Underpainting Series where we are shown the final stages of the underpainting process for a portrait in oil from life! 

In Pt. 3 we see how Vitaliy mainly focuses on the torso of the seated figure by blocking in the dress along with the silhouette and background. The blocking in of the dress is an integral stage of the underpainting process as Vitaliy demonstrates- by regulating contrast and edge quality, and with the use of a small amount of color, Vitaliy is able to keep the focus of the painting on the face of the figure. We also see how the composition is reinforced through the chasing of folds of the sleeve of the dress, an element that adds variety, and are shown how the golden coins on the dress are blocked in. Vitaliy explains the highlights on the golden decorations and how to create believable contrast that creates the illusion that they are sitting on the edge of the fabric of the dress. 

Along with being guided through the technical painting process there is discussion on Vitaliy’s inspiration for this painting and the emotion he hopes it will convey. As Vitaliy says, “Painting has to impress.” His aim is for his work to be present and realistic by imprinting the life of the model on the canvas. By looking at it we should feel as if we are standing in front of a live person. Additionally, Vitaliy touches on how his choice of model was influenced by the work of Polish painter Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902) who is best known for monumental academic art depicting scenes from antiquity, specifically the lives of early Christians.

A detail of the finished portrait Isreali girl can be viewed on Vitaliy Shtanko’s instagram gallery here: www.instagram.com/p/B7WZJMRoqLB

Oil on canvas 50x70cm 2019

In Pt. 1 we were guided through the initial stages including “blocking in,” applying basic values, creating a composition, and how to differentiate bigger shapes. 

In Pt 2. Vitaliy Shtanko reinforces the drawing of the painting by mapping in compressed values of shadow and light, and explains how he models structural planes using limited/compressed mid-tones along with how he focuses on edge quality to increase the illusion of depth. We were also shown the beginning of how how he uses highlights to block in gold details. 

If you haven’t seen the earlier parts of the series they can be found below:

The Process w/ Vitaliy Shtanko - Pt.1 

The Process w/ Vitaliy Shtanko - Pt. 2 

Vitaliy Shtanko was born in 1979 in the Ukraine. He studied at Drogobych Art School from 1990-1994, then attended Lvov Academy where he studied classical drawing and painting until 1999. In 2000, Vitaliy moved to Florence with his family where he continued to study classical painting techniques with Daniel Graves at The Florence Academy of Art. After graduating from the Painting Program in 2010, Vitaliy was offered a position of Principal Instructor in the drawing and painting programs.

Since 2001, Vitaliy has participated in numerous group exhibitions and solo shows in Italy and abroad. The main subject of his artwork is portraiture, however, he also enjoys still life and genre painting.

“To better characterize my nature as an artist, I like to quote the great Ilya Repin: Keep abreast of the new century, constantly move forward and only use the greatest and finest creations of art as examples, and, by following them, participate in art with your own strengths, adding to the overall gret chorus your own voice, and to improve the latter, you should work selflessly, work and study!.”

See more of Vitaliy’s work here:

FAA Alumni Gallery: https://www.florenceacademyofart.com/alumni-gallery/vitaliy-shtanko/

Instagram: @vitaliy_shtanko_art