plate no. 9108
Femme De Tanger
Hélène de Beauvoir, 1949
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning about color mixing and simplification of forms. Students can practice capturing the essence of a scene with bold, expressive brushstrokes and a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background.
- step 03
Define the figures with simplified shapes and bold outlines.
- step 04
Add details like the flowers, hats, and stripes on the clothing.
- step 05
Mix colors directly on the canvas to create variations and depth.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and edges, paying attention to the overall balance.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
- step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · turquoise · yellow · red · white
secondary · pink · green · blue · orange
Mix turquoise by combining blue and green with white. Achieve variations in pink by adding white to red. Use yellow and blue to create different shades of green.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification of form
- ·bold brushstrokes
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Getting bogged down in realism
- →Using too many colors
- →Ignoring the overall composition
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·rags
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process. Consider using a palette knife for applying paint in a more textured way.
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