plate no. 4186
Camellia (Tsubaki)
Kiyoshi Saito, 1948
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive image. It will also teach them how to create texture using visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the woman's face, hair, and body, as well as the placement of the flowers and leaves.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: black for the hair, a light gray for the face, blue for the dress, and green for the background.
- step 03
Add the red color for the flowers, leaving space for the yellow centers.
- step 04
Begin adding texture to the hair and dress using short, visible brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the flowers and leaves to create depth.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · black · gray · red · green
secondary · blue · yellow
Mix the gray for the face by combining white with a touch of black and a hint of red. Achieve the flower color by mixing red with a touch of brown.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification of form
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details of the face.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Losing the simplicity of the original image.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas or wood panel
required
- ·Stretched canvas or wood panel
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (black, white, red, green, blue, yellow)
- ·Assorted paintbrushes (small and medium)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·Rags
- ·Pencil
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Using a textured canvas or panel can enhance the visible brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette of high-quality paints for best results.
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