plate no. 2220

Parisians

Arturo Souto, 1951

lithography, paperExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresportraitsinteriorlampwomen

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal value studies and expressive mark-making using a limited palette. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject through simplified forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figures and lamp.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas with a diluted dark brown or black wash, paying attention to the background and shadows.
step 03
Build up the mid-tones using progressively less diluted washes, defining the forms of the figures and the lamp.
step 04
Use dry brush techniques to create texture and detail in the background and clothing.
step 05
Add the darkest accents with concentrated pigment, emphasizing the contours and features.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the eyes and expressions.
step 07
Soften edges and blend tones where needed to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights to enhance the contrast and create a focal point.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna

Achieve the various tones by diluting raw umber and ivory black with water or solvent. Use white sparingly to create highlights and lighter areas. Burnt sienna can be added in small amounts to warm up the tones.

techniques