plate no. 1118

Reverie

oilSymbolismsymbolic paintingfiguredresstreesfoliageflowerslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to create a sense of light and atmosphere. It also provides practice in depicting the human figure within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, tree, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, distant hills, foliage, and the figure's dress.
step 03
Begin adding details to the foliage using short, broken brushstrokes of varying yellows, oranges, and greens.
step 04
Develop the figure's dress with layers of pink and white, creating a sense of volume and texture.
step 05
Add details to the face and hair, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the foreground with details of flowers and grasses, using small dabs of color.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension of the painting.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · sap green · burnt sienna

Achieve the pinks in the dress by mixing alizarin crimson with titanium white. Create the foliage by mixing yellows, greens, and browns, varying the proportions to achieve different shades.

techniques