plate no. 5454

The Love Potion

Evelyn De Morgan, 1903

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfigureinteriorbookswindowlandscapecat

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering drapery, creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective, and accurately depicting the human form in a complex pose. It also provides practice in capturing subtle color variations and creating a narrative scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch, paying close attention to the proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the landscape seen through the window.
step 03
Establish the base color for the figure's dress and begin to build up the folds and shadows.
step 04
Paint the skin tones, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the figure's hair, jewelry, and other accessories.
step 06
Paint the books and other objects in the interior, paying attention to their texture and form.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the cat and the figures in the landscape.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the colors and values.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Achieve the golden tones of the dress by mixing yellow ochre with burnt umber and a touch of white. Use alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue to create the purples and reds in the shadows and the love potion.

techniques