plate no. 8715
Crawford Card Party
Dorrit Black, 1941
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, capturing light and shadow with watercolor washes, and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It's a good exercise in capturing a scene's overall impression rather than precise detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and the table.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre to the entire paper as a base tone.
- step 03
Begin layering in the darker values on the figures using a mix of burnt umber and ultramarine blue, focusing on shadows.
- step 04
Add the blue background wash, keeping it lighter in some areas to suggest light.
- step 05
Introduce the red accents in the fabric, using a diluted crimson or red ochre.
- step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, adding subtle variations in color and value.
- step 07
Add the details of the table and chairs, using a mix of browns and blues.
- step 08
Let dry completely and add final touches and highlights.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · red ochre · titanium white
Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker shadows. Use yellow ochre as a base and mix it with small amounts of other colors to create the skin tones and clothing colors. Dilute colors with water to create transparent washes.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Making the shadows too dark too quickly.
- →Not allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
- →Using too much water, which can cause the colors to bleed uncontrollably.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paper 140lb
- ·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, red ochre)
- ·Round watercolor brushes (sizes 4, 8, 12)
- ·Palette for mixing paints
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Masking fluid
- ·Palette knife
- ·Spray bottle
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve different effects.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
