plate no. 5376

Reading woman

Rik Wouters, 1913

oilFauvismportraitfigureportraitbookinteriorflowerswindow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also encourages expressive mark-making and capturing a sense of light and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, book, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on overall values.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, using thicker brushstrokes to define forms.
step 04
Mix skin tones using a limited palette of reds, yellows, and whites, adding small amounts of blue or green to create shadows.
step 05
Paint the striped shirt using bold, confident strokes of red and white.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, but keep them simple and expressive.
step 07
Refine the background, adding details to the flowers and window.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of light and depth.

color palette

primary · red · white · green · yellow

secondary · blue · grey · pink

Mix skin tones by combining red, yellow, and white, adjusting with small amounts of blue or green for shadows. Achieve the green of the book by mixing blue and yellow, and the red of the shirt by mixing a bright red with white for lighter areas.

techniques