plate no. 7160

Portrait of a girl

watercolor, paperRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelryhairchair

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in rendering delicate fabrics and subtle skin tones. Students can develop skills in layering watercolor washes and creating soft edges.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and the oval format.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin, even wash of a neutral color.
step 03
Begin layering skin tones, starting with light washes and gradually building up shadows.
step 04
Paint the dress with thin washes of white and cream, indicating folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the hair, jewelry, and flowers, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 06
Define the chair with subtle shading and highlights.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones with white, raw umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the dress color by diluting white with water. Achieve the blue hues by mixing ultramarine blue with white.

techniques