plate no. 3281
Arrangement in Pink, Red and Purple
James McNeill Whistler, 1884
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing form with minimal detail. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex subjects and focusing on overall color harmony.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the couch.
- step 02
Block in the background with dark blues and grays, using loose, vertical brushstrokes.
- step 03
Establish the main areas of red on the couch, focusing on value rather than detail.
- step 04
Begin painting the dress with off-white, using varied brushstrokes to suggest folds and form.
- step 05
Add the red scarf and other red details, paying attention to their placement and value.
- step 06
Refine the facial features with minimal detail, focusing on the overall impression.
- step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.
- step 08
Step back and adjust the composition as needed.
color palette
primary · titanium white · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre
Mix the off-white for the dress by adding small amounts of burnt umber and ultramarine blue to titanium white. Achieve the various shades of red by mixing alizarin crimson with white, burnt umber, or a touch of blue.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Making the colors too saturated and not achieving the subtle color harmony.
- →Struggling with the proportions of the figure.
- →Not simplifying the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-sized canvas to avoid getting bogged down in details. Consider toning the canvas with a neutral color before starting.
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