plate no. 7390

La Conscience

Fernand Khnopff, 1905

oilSymbolismsymbolic paintingfigureportraitreflectionhairhandsdress

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in subtle color blending, creating soft edges, and rendering delicate features. It also provides practice in depicting reflections and creating a sense of etherealness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and reflection, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background with a very thin wash of pale blue, allowing it to dry completely.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with the lightest areas and gradually adding shadows using thin, diluted washes.
step 04
Carefully render the hair, using a fine brush to create individual strands and subtle variations in color.
step 05
Paint the dress with soft, flowing lines, using a slightly darker shade of white to create folds and shadows.
step 06
Create the reflection by using diluted versions of the colors used for the main figure, softening the edges to create a hazy effect.
step 07
Add subtle details to the face and hands, paying attention to the delicate features and soft lighting.
step 08
Review and adjust the values and colors as needed to achieve a harmonious and ethereal effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve the pale skin tones by mixing titanium white with small amounts of yellow ochre and raw umber. Use ultramarine blue to create the pale blue background. Mix alizarin crimson and yellow ochre for the hair color.

techniques