plate no. 3128

Girl near Window (Sonia Gramatté)

Walter Gramatté, 1921

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwindowlandscapebuildingsboatsfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor layering and capturing expressive portraits with limited color palettes. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, window, and landscape.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue to the face and background.
step 03
Add darker blues and grays to define shadows and contours on the face.
step 04
Paint the hair with a mix of yellow and brown, using loose brushstrokes.
step 05
Fill in the landscape details with diluted washes of brown, blue, and green.
step 06
Add details to the window frame and curtains.
step 07
Refine the portrait features and add final details to the landscape.
step 08
Add the signature in the bottom right corner.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber

secondary · Payne's Gray · Cadmium Red

Mix Prussian Blue with Burnt Umber to create various shades of gray and blue-gray. Use Yellow Ochre and Burnt Umber for the hair and landscape. Dilute colors with water to create transparent washes.

techniques