plate no. 9221

Good Night

Nicolae Tonitza, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigureschildrenportraitdollpatterned backgroundclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing the essence of a subject's mood through subtle expressions. It also provides practice in rendering patterned backgrounds without overwhelming the main subject.

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 and proportions of the figures and key objects.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figures' skin and clothing.
step 03
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 04
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add the details of the clothing, doll, and patterned background.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or burnt umber. Create the background colors by mixing blue with various amounts of yellow, red, and white.

techniques