plate no. 6535
A Song without Words
John William Godward, 1919
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery folds, as well as creating the illusion of depth through atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background sky and sea with diluted washes.
- step 03
Establish the base tones for the marble architecture, focusing on light and shadow.
- step 04
Begin layering the figure's skin tones, building up highlights and shadows gradually.
- step 05
Paint the dress, using multiple layers to create the folds and drapery.
- step 06
Add details to the birdcage, paying attention to the intricate patterns.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, hands, and feet.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · orange · white · blue · gray
secondary · brown · purple · yellow
Mix various shades of orange for the dress by combining red, yellow, and a touch of brown. Achieve the marble effect by mixing white with small amounts of gray, brown, and yellow.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering drapery
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the marble.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paints
- ·Watercolor paper (140lb)
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Masking fluid
- ·Palette knife
- ·Watercolor pencils
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Consider using masking fluid to preserve highlights.
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