plate no. 0522

Girl Putting out a Candle

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitcandlegirlred backgroundtable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and mood, and in layering paint to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in rendering subtle light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the candle.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of red, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Establish the main values on the face and hands, using a limited palette of skin tones.
step 04
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 05
Add the red bow, capturing its shape and folds.
step 06
Render the candle and its holder, focusing on the light reflecting off the surfaces.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches to the background and clothing, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · red · white · blue · brown

secondary · yellow · grey · black

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue. Achieve the grey-blue of the clothing by mixing blue, black, and white. Create depth in the red background by layering different shades of red and adding hints of brown.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the face, resulting in a stiff or unnatural appearance.
→Creating a flat, lifeless background.
→Failing to capture the subtle light and shadow on the figure.
→Using too many colors, resulting in a muddy or chaotic painting.