plate no. 6069

Angel

oilExpressionismreligious paintingangelfigurewingshairportraitreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and expressive line work. Students will also learn how to create a sense of depth and form with limited color and value contrast.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, wings, and head.
step 02
Apply a light wash of yellow and orange to the hair and halo area.
step 03
Add a light wash of blue and green to the background, allowing it to blend and create soft edges.
step 04
Paint the skin tones with a very diluted peach or pink watercolor.
step 05
Add a wash of red to the sleeve.
step 06
Use a fine-tipped pen or brush to add the expressive line work, defining the hair, wings, and facial features.
step 07
Add darker washes of blue and purple to deepen the shadows and create contrast.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · burnt sienna

secondary · crimson red · sap green · purple

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the hair. Use cerulean blue with a touch of green for the background. Dilute colors significantly for transparent washes.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·expressive line work
·dry brush
·glazing
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and losing the transparency.
→Making the line work too heavy or uniform.
→Not allowing the washes to dry completely before adding line work.
→Using too much water and causing the colors to bleed uncontrollably.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, cerulean blue, burnt sienna, crimson red, sap green, purple)
·Round watercolor brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·Fine-tipped pen or brush
·Water container
·Palette
·Paper towels