plate no. 1118
Girl with Birds
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, 1782
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and creating soft, diffused lighting effects. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and subtle textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure, bird, and basic composition within an oval format.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color.
- step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the figure, focusing on the face and chest.
- step 04
Begin layering skin tones, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the bird and the table, focusing on texture and form.
- step 07
Refine the facial features and add subtle details to the hair.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and realism.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create rich darks for the background and shadows.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·sfumato
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, leading to a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure.
- →Ignoring the texture of the fabric and bird feathers.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (oval shape)
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A pre-primed canvas is recommended.
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