plate no. 4365
Girls
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and using color to define planes and create depth. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject rather than precise realism.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and still life elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, using simplified shapes to represent the figures, background, and objects.
- step 03
Start refining the shapes and adding details, paying attention to the planes and angles of the forms.
- step 04
Mix and apply variations of the primary colors to create depth and interest within each area.
- step 05
Use visible brushstrokes to add texture and energy to the painting.
- step 06
Introduce secondary colors to highlight specific areas and create contrast.
- step 07
Adjust values to enhance the sense of light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final details and refine edges as needed.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve the various blues by mixing cerulean and ultramarine with white. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red to create the warm tones. Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create tints.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·geometric simplification
- ·scumbling
- ·color temperature variation
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplified, expressive style.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of composition and focal point.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·easel
Use good quality oil paints for best results. A medium-textured canvas will help to create a more expressive surface.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Dolly Sisters
Kees van Dongen
Nude with Loaves
Jean Helion
My Father
Carlos Botelho
Helen
Chronis Botsoglou
The portrait painter in the country
Albin Egger-Lienz
Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague
Maria Bozoky
Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city
Paul Werner
Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)
James Ensor