plate no. 9668

Maid of Athens

Raphael Kirchner, 1900

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)genre paintingfigureflowersbirdsdresshairprofile

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice subtle value changes to create form and learn to mix muted colors for a soft, ethereal effect. It also provides practice in rendering delicate details like fabric folds and floral elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, flowers, and birds, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin, even wash of a neutral color.
step 03
Begin blocking in the figure's skin tones with very light washes, focusing on the subtle shadows and highlights.
step 04
Paint the dress using thin layers of color, allowing the underpainting to show through and create a sense of transparency.
step 05
Add the flowers, starting with the larger shapes and then adding details like petals and stems.
step 06
Paint the birds with small, precise strokes, capturing their delicate forms.
step 07
Refine the details of the hair and facial features, using a fine brush.
step 08
Add any final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing small amounts of complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) into your primary colors. Use white to lighten values and create soft transitions.

techniques