plate no. 4871
The Whisper
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using expressive brushwork to create texture and mood. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve subtle variations in tone.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the two figures.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of yellow ochre.
- step 03
Block in the dark areas of the hair and dress with a dark mix of black and blue.
- step 04
Begin building up the face with layers of white, blue, and grey, focusing on the planes of the face.
- step 05
Add the red tones to the dress, blending the edges to create soft transitions.
- step 06
Introduce small amounts of orange and yellow to the collar area.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face and hair, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust the overall balance of the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · burnt umber · black · orange
Mix white with blue to create cool tones for the face. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the background. Create darks by mixing ultramarine blue and burnt umber or black.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
- ·blending
- ·simplification of form
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the face.
- →Being too literal and not embracing the abstract nature of the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·yellow ochre paint
- ·ultramarine blue paint
- ·titanium white paint
- ·cadmium red paint
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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