plate no. 6296
The Three Perfumes
Margaret Macdonald, 1912
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering transparent washes and creating intricate patterns with watercolor. It also encourages exploration of symbolic representation and stylized figure drawing.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic figures and their poses, paying attention to proportions and placement.
- step 02
Outline major shapes and patterns within the dresses and background with a light pencil.
- step 03
Begin with the lightest washes, establishing the overall color scheme of blues, pinks, and purples.
- step 04
Layer subsequent washes to build depth and create subtle color variations, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
- step 05
Add details such as the roses, teardrop shapes, and other decorative elements with fine brushes.
- step 06
Use a slightly darker wash to define the edges of the figures and create subtle shadows.
- step 07
Carefully render the faces, focusing on delicate features and subtle expressions.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Rose Madder · Payne's Gray
secondary · Viridian Green · Lavender · Titanium White
Achieve the muted tones by mixing primary colors with Payne's Gray and diluting with plenty of water. Use white sparingly to create highlights and subtle variations.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·fine line detail
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
- →Making the colors too saturated or intense.
- →Losing the delicate balance between detail and overall composition.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the figures.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paints (Prussian Blue, Rose Madder, Payne's Gray, Viridian Green, Lavender, Titanium White)
- ·Watercolor brushes (round #2, #6, #10)
- ·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
- ·Pencil (HB)
- ·Eraser
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Masking fluid
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Watercolor pencils
- ·Blending stump
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.
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