plate no. 1766

Ghost Flower

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureflowersfacelightshadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using contrasting values to define form. It also introduces the concept of using abstract shapes to represent light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic outline of the figure and the placement of the flowers.
step 02
Block in the background with a base layer of blue.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, focusing on the transitions between light and shadow.
step 05
Paint the hair using dark browns and reds, adding highlights where appropriate.
step 06
Add the white flowers, paying attention to their shapes and how they interact with the light.
step 07
Refine the details of the face and flowers, adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of skin tones by combining red, umber, and white. Use white to create the lighter values of the flowers and to add highlights to the face. Mix blue with white to create lighter shades for the background.

techniques