plate no. 8001

An oriental in front of the entrance to the Alhambra

Gustavo Simoni, 1901

watercolor, paper, cardboardOrientalismportraitfigurearchitectureportraitbuildinginteriorclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, architectural rendering, and creating realistic textures with watercolor. It also provides practice in capturing subtle light and shadow variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figure and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by laying down thin washes of color for the background and figure.
step 03
Gradually build up the values and details in the background architecture, paying attention to the intricate patterns.
step 04
Focus on rendering the figure's skin tones and clothing, using layering techniques to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Add details to the face, capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights to create a sense of volume and form.
step 07
Add final details, such as the patterns on the walls and the texture of the clothing.
step 08
Evaluate the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium red · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the warm tones of the architecture. Use cadmium red mixed with a touch of burnt sienna and white for the robe. Add ultramarine blue to burnt sienna to create cooler shadows.

techniques