plate no. 9083

Carrying Water

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguretreesdresspitcherlandscapefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and in capturing the human form with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow in a natural setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main elements of the background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas, using thin washes of color to establish the overall tone.
step 03
Begin to build up the layers of paint, focusing on the light and shadow on the figure and the trees.
step 04
Mix the various shades of purple for the dress, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 05
Add details to the face and hands, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the background, using loose, expressive brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to the pitcher and the trees.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · lavender · white · green · blue

secondary · yellow · brown · pink

Mix lavender by combining white, blue, and a touch of red. Achieve the greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the shade with brown or white. Use white to lighten the values and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color mixing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
→Ignoring the importance of the background in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.