plate no. 0639

Goldenrod

Charles Courtney Curran, 1910

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurewomanfoliagetreesgoldenrodportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle skin tones and facial features, and in rendering complex foliage with varied textures and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the surrounding foliage.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones of the face and neck, paying close attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 05
Start rendering the foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 07
Add the goldenrod flowers, using bright yellows and oranges to create a focal point.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of harmony and balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium orange · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or brown. Create the foliage by mixing greens with browns and yellows to vary the shades.

techniques