plate no. 5795

Three Mexican Women

Josef Herman, 1968

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigureswomenlandscapesunsetclothingrural

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms, using a limited palette, and creating a sense of depth through value and color temperature changes. It also encourages expressive brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than photorealistic detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the three figures, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background sky and ground using broad brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the figures' clothing and hair, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin adding mid-tones and highlights to the figures, defining their forms and creating a sense of volume.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces and hands, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 06
Add subtle color variations to the clothing and background to create depth and interest.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to achieve a harmonious balance and a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the focal points and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and red to warm up the browns for the sunset glow.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·value studies
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the subtle color temperature changes in the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·apron

A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended for this project. Acrylic paints are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time and ease of use.

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