plate no. 5421

Off with her head

Charles Robinson, 1907

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationfigurecardsflowerstreesqueenillustration

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in detailed linework, pattern replication, and color layering to achieve a vintage illustration style. It also provides practice in rendering figures and creating a sense of depth through overlapping elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and compositional elements, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Outline the key shapes and patterns with a fine liner brush or pen.
step 03
Begin filling in the large areas of color, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 04
Layer colors to create depth and dimension, using lighter shades for highlights and darker shades for shadows.
step 05
Add details to the figures' clothing and faces, using fine brushstrokes to create texture and definition.
step 06
Paint the flowers and foliage, varying the colors and shapes to create visual interest.
step 07
Refine the linework and add any final details, such as highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · red · blue · green · yellow

secondary · white · black · brown · orange

Achieve the muted tones by mixing primary colors with white and small amounts of complementary colors. Use glazes of diluted color to create depth and subtle variations.

techniques