plate no. 7578

Old Woman

Otto Dix, 1923

oilExpressionismnude painting (nu)figureportraitold womannudeexpressionism

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice expressive line work and capturing form with limited color. Students can develop their understanding of anatomy and how to convey emotion through distortion.

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 and proportions of the figure, focusing on the overall pose and composition.
step 02
Refine the sketch, adding more detail to the facial features and anatomical structure.
step 03
Apply a thin wash of diluted yellow ochre to the skin areas, creating a base tone.
step 04
Add shadows and depth using a mix of burnt umber and a touch of blue, focusing on areas like the eye sockets, cheekbones, and neck.
step 05
Use thin washes of blue and gray to create the background, allowing some of the paper to show through.
step 06
Enhance the linework with a fine brush or pen, emphasizing the contours and details of the figure.
step 07
Add highlights with a touch of white or light yellow, focusing on areas where light hits the skin.
step 08
Review and adjust the values and details, ensuring the overall expression and mood are conveyed effectively.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · payne's gray

Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of burnt umber and blue to create various skin tones. Use more blue to create cooler shadows.

techniques

·expressive linework
·watercolor washes
·dry brushing
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the linework.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions and anatomical structure.
→Not allowing the washes to dry properly before adding subsequent layers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, titanium white, payne's gray)
·round brushes (various sizes)
·fine liner brush
·palette
·water container
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure the colors blend smoothly. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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