plate no. 8923

Nubian

gouache, paperExpressionismportraitfiguredesertskymountainscamelsfabric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, color mixing for skin tones, and creating atmospheric perspective in a landscape. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, landscape, and key elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the sky and desert.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones of the figure, using layers of color to create depth and dimension.
step 04
Paint the red fabric, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the landscape, including the mountains, camels, and tents.
step 06
Refine the details of the figure's face and hair.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall contrast and realism.
step 08
Check proportions and make adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · red · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and red for the skin tones. Use white to lighten and blue to darken the sky. Mix red with yellow and white to achieve the different shades of the red fabric.

techniques