plate no. 8018
A portrait of a young mother with her son and daughter
Alexander Clarot, 1838
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as understanding subtle color variations and light effects in watercolor.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of figures.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of color to establish the background and general skin tones.
- step 03
Begin layering colors on the faces, building up shadows and highlights gradually.
- step 04
Paint the clothing with thin washes, focusing on the folds and drapery.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, eyes, and other features.
- step 06
Render the chair and other background elements with soft washes.
- step 07
Refine the details and add final touches to the composition.
- step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create depth.
color palette
primary · raw sienna · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue
secondary · ivory black · cadmium yellow light
Mix raw sienna and alizarin crimson for skin tones, adding cerulean blue for cooler shadows. Use ivory black sparingly to darken shadows. Mix cerulean blue and cadmium yellow light for the dress.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·lifting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the colors and losing the transparency of the watercolor.
- →Creating muddy colors by mixing too many pigments.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Using too much water and causing the colors to bleed.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
- ·watercolor paper (140lb)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
- ·masking fluid
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paints and paper for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes and techniques to achieve the desired effects.
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