plate no. 7445

Figure through flowers

Grace Cossington Smith, 1935

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitflowersfigurerosesdaffodilsbookshelf

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations within a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, flowers, and background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the figure, flowers, and background using thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color with short, visible brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the light and shadow.
step 04
Mix colors directly on the canvas to create a broken color effect.
step 05
Pay close attention to the color variations within each flower and the figure's face.
step 06
Refine the details of the flowers and the figure's features.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the sense of light and depth.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · sap green · alizarin crimson · violet · raw umber

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to create tints. Use small amounts of blue and red to create violets and browns.

techniques