plate no. 5567
Les Deux Soeurs
Tsuguharu Foujita, 1964
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, particularly facial features and drapery, as well as color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and fabric textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the archway.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using diluted washes of color.
- step 03
Start with the sky and background, gradually building up the layers of color.
- step 04
Define the figures' skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, using darker values to create folds and textures.
- step 06
Paint the roses, focusing on their delicate shapes and colors.
- step 07
Refine the details of the stone archway, adding texture and depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · sap green
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create grays for the stone arch.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·color layering
- ·figure drawing
- ·drapery study
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 round brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·kneaded eraser
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple layers of paint. Consider using masking fluid to preserve highlights.
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