plate no. 4039

Maud is Only Seventeen

Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale, 1919

watercolorRomanticismillustrationfiguregardentreesflowersfountainarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in detailed environments and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. Students will also practice color mixing to achieve subtle variations in greens and whites.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figure, fountain, garden layout, and trees.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the background trees and hedges using diluted washes.
step 03
Paint the sky and distant foliage, focusing on lighter values and softer edges.
step 04
Begin layering colors in the garden, defining flower shapes and variations in green foliage.
step 05
Start working on the figure, building up layers of color for the dress and skin tones.
step 06
Add details to the fountain and its reflection in the water.
step 07
Refine the details of the figure's face, dress, and accessories.
step 08
Add final touches to the flowers and foliage, adjusting values and adding highlights.

color palette

primary · sap green · titanium white · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

secondary · cerulean blue · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and small amounts of blue or burnt sienna. Create the whites of the dress by layering diluted washes of titanium white with hints of yellow ochre and blue to capture the light and shadow.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·dry brushing
·wet-on-dry
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Using colors straight from the tube without proper mixing.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Ignoring the importance of soft edges in creating depth.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor paper 140lb
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·flat brush (size 1/2 inch)
·palette
·water container
·masking tape
·kneaded eraser

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to allow for layering and prevent buckling. Consider using masking fluid to preserve highlights in the flowers and fountain.

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