plate no. 1752

Japanese

Vasily Vereshchagin, 1903

oilRealismportraitfigureportraitflowerskimonoscreeninterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex patterns and textures, as well as capturing subtle skin tones and creating a sense of depth through layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, flower pot, and screen.
step 02
Establish the background colors and values, paying attention to the light source and shadows.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the kimono, flowers, and pot, using broad brushstrokes.
step 04
Begin adding details to the kimono pattern, using smaller brushes and varying colors.
step 05
Refine the facial features and skin tones, using subtle blending techniques.
step 06
Develop the texture and details of the flowers and pot, using dry brush and layering techniques.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and realistic representation.

color palette

primary · ivory black · crimson red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian · burnt umber

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, crimson red, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Create the kimono's complex patterns by mixing various combinations of the primary and secondary colors.

techniques