plate no. 8611

Afternoon Silence

Wilhelm Kotarbinski, 1900

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitfigurecolumnlandscapeflowersdressarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering fabric folds, creating atmospheric perspective, and capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow on various surfaces. It also provides practice in painting realistic figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, column, and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of colors, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, column, and foliage with simplified color masses.
step 04
Refine the figure's features and drapery, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Add details to the column and surrounding architecture, including the texture and weathering.
step 06
Paint the flowers and foliage, capturing their delicate forms and colors.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the realism and visual interest.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian · burnt umber · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the muted greens by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and white. Create the skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white. Use ivory black thinned with medium for the dark dress, adding touches of blue or brown for depth.

techniques