plate no. 7174

The Favourite

John William Godward, 1901

oil, canvasNeoclassicismgenre paintingwomancatstatuelandscapebenchclassical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic drapery, skin tones, and marble textures. It also provides an opportunity to practice creating a sense of depth and atmosphere in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
step 02
Block in the background landscape and sky with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic forms of the figure, cat, statue, and bench.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the drapery folds and skin tones, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the details of the statue and marble bench, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 06
Paint the cat with careful attention to its fur and anatomy.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the peacock feather and the patterns on the fabric.
step 08
Glaze and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · sap green

Mix various shades of red and yellow ochre with white to create the skin tones and drapery. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the shadows and darker tones. Mix greens for the foliage.

techniques