plate no. 5838

The shy sitter

watercolor, paperNaturalismportraitportraitfiguregirlchairclothingindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and subtle expressions, as well as layering watercolor washes to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted brown or gray to establish the background tone.
step 03
Begin layering washes of color on the face, focusing on the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 04
Paint the hair with light yellow and brown washes, allowing the paper to show through for highlights.
step 05
Add the details of the clothing, using darker washes to create shadows and folds.
step 06
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add final details to the chair and background, adjusting values as needed.
step 08
Let dry completely and add final touches to enhance contrast and details.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · payne's gray

Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the skin tones, adding white for highlights and alizarin crimson for the cheeks. Use ultramarine blue and white for the clothing stripes. Mix payne's gray with white for the background.

techniques