plate no. 2719

Pitcher with figures of women among the flowers

oilRealismportraitportraitflowerspitcherfiguregoldceramics

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle facial expressions and using a limited palette to create a cohesive and harmonious artwork. It will also help with painting on a curved surface.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the pitcher and the figure's head and shoulders.
step 02
Apply a base layer of gold paint to the pitcher, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face with dark and light tones, focusing on the shadows.
step 04
Add the red headscarf, blending the edges to create soft transitions.
step 05
Paint the flowers around the figure, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add final touches to the gold background, creating subtle variations in color.
step 08
Varnish the finished piece to protect the paint and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · gold · red · white · brown

secondary · yellow · green · black

Achieve the gold color by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of metallic gold paint. Mix browns from burnt umber and a touch of blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·dry brushing
·blending
·scumbling
·layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the face, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Using too much paint, which can obscure the texture of the surface.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas of the painting.
→Not capturing the subtle nuances of the facial expression.