plate no. 7208

Ideal image of Trude Geiringer

Richard Gerstl, 1906

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitwomanhatrosefiguredress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes, layering, and capturing delicate details in portraiture. It also provides practice in creating soft, diffused lighting effects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the portrait, including the hat, face, and shoulders.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre or raw sienna to the background.
step 03
Begin layering washes for the skin tones, starting with very pale pinks and yellows.
step 04
Add shadows to the face and neck using diluted browns and purples.
step 05
Paint the hat with a mix of purple and blue, using varying dilutions for highlights and shadows.
step 06
Create the dress with light washes of blue and gray, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add the rose with reds and greens, paying attention to the details of the petals and leaves.
step 08
Refine the details of the face, hair, and clothing with small brushes and concentrated colors.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · violet

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Shadows are created by adding burnt umber and violet to these mixtures. The hat color is achieved by mixing ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·layering
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unnatural look.
→Losing the delicate balance of light and shadow.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brush (size 1/2 inch)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels
·pencil

optional

·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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