plate no. 8447
Little Girl in Orange
William H. Johnson, 1944
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive image. It also encourages exploration of texture through visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the figure, chair, and background.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the purple background, the yellow and black floor tiles, and the orange chair seat.
- step 03
Paint the figure's skin tone using a mix of browns and reds.
- step 04
Add the dress, focusing on the repeating pattern of orange, yellow, and blue shapes.
- step 05
Paint the chair using dark green/black, keeping the lines simple and bold.
- step 06
Add the red shoes and any small details like the white highlights on the fingernails.
- step 07
Refine the shapes and colors, paying attention to the overall balance of the composition.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · purple · orange · yellow · red
secondary · black · brown · white · dark green
Mix purple by combining red and blue with white. Achieve skin tones by mixing browns, reds, and a touch of yellow. Dark green is a mix of black and green.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·simplified shapes
- ·visible brushstrokes
- ·pattern repetition
- ·color blocking
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes and details.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Blending colors too much and losing the texture.
- →Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Canvas or painting panel
- ·Assorted paint brushes (flat and round)
- ·Palette
- ·Water or solvent (depending on paint type)
- ·Palette knife
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Medium for oil paints
- ·Varnish
Use a canvas with a slightly rough texture to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, but oils will provide richer colors.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
