plate no. 5848
Nu Aux Poissons Rouges
Henri Matisse, 1922
experienced study
Students would develop skills in figure drawing, color harmony, and decorative pattern integration while learning to balance realistic form with expressive color choices.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition with figure placement and major shapes
- step 02
Block in the warm background tones using ochres and oranges
- step 03
Establish the figure's basic form with simplified flesh tones
- step 04
Add the decorative elements - patterned fabrics and wall hanging
- step 05
Paint the still life elements including the goldfish bowl
- step 06
Develop the carpet pattern with geometric designs
- step 07
Refine color relationships and harmonies throughout
- step 08
Add final details and adjust contrasts
color palette
primary · raw umber · cadmium orange · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson
Mix warm flesh tones with white, ochre, and touches of orange; create rich oranges by combining cadmium orange with burnt sienna
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·pattern simplification
- ·figure modeling
- ·decorative integration
- ·warm color harmony
common pitfalls
- →overworking the figure details
- →making patterns too complex
- →losing color harmony
- →creating muddy flesh tones
materials
surface · primed canvas or canvas board
required
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium orange
- ·titanium white
- ·raw umber
- ·ultramarine blue
- ·canvas 16x20
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·#2 detail brush
- ·medium gloss varnish
- ·blending brush
- ·palette paper
Use a warm-toned ground if possible to enhance the overall color harmony
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