plate no. 2672

St Clare

Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale, 1919

watercolorRomanticismillustrationfigurenungardenflowersplantswatering can

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures with drapery, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and painting botanical elements with detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, the garden wall, and the major plant groupings.
step 02
Establish the background with a light wash of sky and distant trees.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure's habit, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 04
Begin adding details to the plants and flowers, working from the background to the foreground.
step 05
Refine the figure's face and hands, using subtle color variations to create form.
step 06
Add the watering can and the stream of water, paying attention to highlights and reflections.
step 07
Develop the foreground details, including the potted plants and the paving stones.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · grey · green · brown · white

secondary · pink · yellow · orange · blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Mix browns and greens to create natural earth tones.

techniques