plate no. 3773

In the Sunlight

John Duncan Fergusson, 1907

oilFauvismportraitportraitwomanhatflowersfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and practice expressive brushwork to capture light and form. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex shapes and focusing on the overall impression rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with loose strokes of blue, green, and white, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of greens, pinks, and whites.
step 04
Add the hat, using thick, visible brushstrokes to define its form and texture.
step 05
Paint the flowers on the hat, using reds, pinks, and greens, and varying the brushstrokes to create visual interest.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Add details to the clothing and background, using short, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and energy.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, and brushstrokes.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · cadmium red · viridian green

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix greens with blue and yellow, and purples with red and blue. Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of red, green, and blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques