plate no. 9578

Jove

Joan Brull, 1901

oilSymbolismportraitportraitfigureflowersgirlprofilehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing soft lighting and subtle skin tones, as well as blending techniques to create a dreamy, atmospheric effect.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a neutral color like burnt umber.
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, focusing on proportions and the angle of the head.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, dress, background, and flowers, using thin washes of paint.
step 04
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on the subtle transitions of light and shadow on the face and neck.
step 05
Carefully blend the edges of the forms to create a soft, diffused effect.
step 06
Add details to the flowers, using small brushstrokes to capture their shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the background, adding depth and atmosphere with subtle variations in color and value.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the face and hair to bring the portrait to life.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · violet

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to create the violet hues in the flowers and subtle shadows.

techniques