plate no. 2137

Girl with Fish

oil, panelAcademicismgenre paintingfiguregirlfishbasketbuildingstreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and expression, as well as rendering realistic textures and lighting on clothing and architecture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figure and the background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's clothing and skin.
step 03
Refine the values and colors, paying attention to the subtle gradations and highlights.
step 04
Add details to the face, hair, and clothing, using smaller brushes and finer strokes.
step 05
Paint the basket of fish, focusing on capturing the texture and form of the fish.
step 06
Refine the background details, adding texture and depth to the wall and street.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism and dimension.
step 08
Let dry and add a varnish to protect the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray for the background and street. Use white and yellow ochre to create highlights on the clothing and skin. Mix red and white for the scarf and pink apron.

techniques