plate no. 0667
Flower Girls
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures with subtle light and shadow, as well as creating realistic textures for clothing and flowers. It also provides practice in composing a scene with multiple subjects and a complex foreground.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the flower arrangements.
- step 02
Establish the background tones with thin washes of dark browns and grays.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to proportions and gestures.
- step 04
Begin layering in the local colors of the skin, clothing, and flowers.
- step 05
Develop the light and shadow on the figures, using subtle gradations to create form.
- step 06
Add details to the flowers, focusing on capturing their individual shapes and colors.
- step 07
Refine the background and foreground, adding details to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · alizarin crimson
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, with small additions of alizarin crimson for warmth. Mix various shades of pink and red for the roses using alizarin crimson, cadmium red light, and titanium white.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones
- →Getting lost in the complexity of the flower arrangement
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (as listed in color palette)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 filbert brush
- ·#4 flat brush
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium (e.g. Liquin)
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., raw umber wash) to establish a warm undertone.
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