plate no. 3475

Japanese lady in red kimono

Isaac Israels, 1920

oilImpressionismportraitfigureportraitkimonojapaneseredwoman

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing loose brushwork and capturing a likeness with minimal detail. Students will learn to simplify shapes and use color temperature to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the skin tones, using a limited palette.
step 04
Apply the red of the kimono, varying the hue and value to create folds and depth.
step 05
Add details to the hair and face, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 06
Introduce secondary figures and objects, keeping them less defined.
step 07
Refine the edges and add highlights to create a sense of light.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of red by adding white, umber, or a touch of blue. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a small amount of red and umber.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·color temperature
·simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the main subject.
→Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·oil paints (burnt umber, cadmium red, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·selection of brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil or other painting medium
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags