plate no. 5332

The flute player

Rik Wouters, 1914

oilFauvismgenre paintingfigureinteriorlandscapewindowbuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to define form and light. It also provides practice in capturing a sense of atmosphere and depth with limited detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background landscape.
step 03
Establish the basic values and color relationships in the figure.
step 04
Refine the shapes and colors, adding details to the face and clothing.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Define the edges of the shapes with bold brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and white for the figure's shirt. Use raw umber and ultramarine for the tie. Burnt sienna and white create the building colors. Vary the mixes with small amounts of red or blue to create subtle shifts in temperature.

techniques