plate no. 8209

Justine Johnstone

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitfigureveilflowerswomanhair

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal shading, creating soft transitions, and capturing delicate details in fabric and floral elements. It also provides practice in portraiture and conveying subtle emotions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the darkest values in the hair and facial features using a diluted wash.
step 03
Begin building up the mid-tones on the face and body, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Carefully render the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, creating a sense of realism.
step 05
Add the floral crown, focusing on the shapes and shadows of the individual flowers.
step 06
Create the veil using very light, transparent washes, allowing the underlying layers to show through.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands and jewelry.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension of the painting.

color palette

primary · sepia · ivory black

secondary · raw umber · titanium white

Achieve the sepia tones by diluting sepia with water or solvent. Use ivory black sparingly to create darker values. Mix raw umber and titanium white for lighter skin tones.

techniques

·tonal shading
·glazing
·dry brushing
·soft blending
·washes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions
→Using too much dark pigment and losing the lightness of the veil
→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch

materials

surface · watercolor paper (140lb)

required

·sepia ink or watercolor
·ivory black ink or watercolor
·round brushes (sizes 0-4)
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·palette
·water container
·soft cloth

optional

·kneaded eraser
·ruler
·masking fluid

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for smooth blending. Dilute the ink or watercolor with plenty of water to create transparent washes.

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