plate no. 6325

Reflections

watercolor, paperRealismportraitportraitwomanheadhairshawljewelry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle watercolor washes. It also provides practice in painting fabric and patterns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and shawl.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and hair with diluted washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering skin tones, building up depth and form with successive washes.
step 04
Paint the hair, paying attention to the direction of the strands and variations in color.
step 05
Add the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 06
Paint the shawl, using a combination of washes and dry brush techniques to create texture and pattern.
step 07
Add the jewelry and other small details.
step 08
Refine the painting with final washes and adjustments to values and colors.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending raw umber, burnt sienna, and cadmium red with varying amounts of water. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create neutral grays for shadows.

techniques