plate no. 7324

The cherry girl

oil, canvasRealismportraitfigureportraitcherriesbowlshawlindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the bowl.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted grays and browns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, clothing, and shawl, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and shawl, using soft blending to create a sense of fabric texture.
step 06
Paint the bowl of cherries, capturing the vibrant red color and the highlights on the fruit.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and add luminosity.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Achieve the green of the bowl by mixing viridian green with raw umber and a touch of yellow ochre.

techniques