plate no. 7970
Girl with Folded Hands
Wilhelm Trübner, 1878
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red and brown.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on the overall values and color temperature.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the proportions and subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the decorative trim and buttons.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Paint the hands, carefully observing the shapes and folds.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details.
color palette
primary · red ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · Prussian blue
secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of red-brown for the background. Use white and small amounts of blue and umber to create the grey-green of the dress. Mix black and white for the trim, adding small amounts of other colors to adjust the tone.
techniques
- ·portrait sketching
- ·value studies
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones
- →Losing the overall value structure
- →Getting lost in the details too early
- →Inaccurate depiction of the hands
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
