plate no. 3344

Poème de l'âme 13: Rayons de soleil

oilRomanticismillustrationfigureswomenlandscapetreesgrassdresses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective in a landscape. It also provides practice in achieving soft, blended transitions between colors and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the background landscape with broad strokes, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Roughly sketch the figures, paying attention to proportions and gesture.
step 04
Begin refining the figures, focusing on the drapery and folds of their dresses.
step 05
Develop the skin tones, using subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Add details to the background, such as individual trees and foliage.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details, such as the flowers in the grass and the highlights on the dresses.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of alizarin crimson for warmth. Create the greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and raw umber for variations.

techniques