plate no. 8165

Child

Yasuo Kuniyoshi, 1923

oilExpressionismportraitfigurechildportraitflowerstablecurtain

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing with a limited palette and understanding how to create form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes into basic geometric forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, table, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figure's clothing.
step 03
Gradually build up the values within each color area, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations within the skin tones and clothing.
step 05
Add details such as the facial features, flowers, and the edges of the table and curtain.
step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the forms, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Review and adjust as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix burnt umber and white for the skin tones, varying the ratio for highlights and shadows. Use raw sienna and burnt umber for the background, and add small amounts of cadmium yellow and alizarin crimson to create the flower colors.

techniques