plate no. 6651

Kid eating breakfast

George Bouzianis, 1921

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechildtablefoodinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing a likeness with minimal detail. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in skin tones and shadows.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna for the skin and background.
step 03
Add darker washes of burnt umber and black for the hair, clothing, and shadows.
step 04
Introduce hints of red and purple to the skin tones for depth.
step 05
Define the features of the face with small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the food and objects on the table.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors with a clean, damp brush.
step 08
Add final highlights with white or a very light yellow.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · burnt umber · black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · white

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for dark shadows. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red for skin tones. Dilute colors with water to achieve transparent washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·limited palette
·negative painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figure.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Watercolor paints
·Round brushes (sizes 4, 8, 12)
·Water container
·Palette
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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