plate no. 7760

Lady in Red

Paul Jacoulet, 1935

oilUkiyo-eportraitportraitfigurewomanhairclothingface

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing flat color application and smooth blending techniques. Students will also learn about line work and creating a stylized portrait.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the figure, focusing on proportions and key features.
step 02
Apply a base layer of light cream color to the skin areas.
step 03
Paint the background with a gradient of light purple, blending from top to bottom.
step 04
Fill in the red dress with a flat, even layer of red paint.
step 05
Add subtle shading to the hair using light yellow and green tones.
step 06
Define the facial features with thin, dark lines, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add the details of the collar and any other small elements.
step 08
Refine the edges and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · red · light purple · cream · light yellow

secondary · green · grey

Mix the background purple by blending red and blue with white. Achieve the skin tone by mixing white with a touch of yellow and red. The hair color is a mix of yellow and green.

techniques

·flat color application
·smooth blending
·line work
·color layering

common pitfalls

→uneven color application
→harsh lines
→incorrect proportions
→muddy colors

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (small and medium)
·pencil
·eraser
·palette
·water container

optional

·ruler
·masking tape
·color pencils

Using high-quality watercolor paper will help prevent buckling and allow for smoother blending. Use a light touch when sketching to avoid damaging the paper.

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