plate no. 5245

Tribal Women

Amrita Sher-Gil, 1938

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigureswomenchildrenportraitsIndianclothing

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in portraiture and figure painting, focusing on capturing skin tones and subtle variations in light and shadow. Students will learn to simplify forms and create a cohesive color harmony.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the overall warm color tone of the background with a thin wash.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for each figure, focusing on the darkest values first.
step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones and highlights, blending colors softly.
step 05
Define the facial features and details, using small brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details like clothing folds and jewelry.
step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figures.
step 08
Add the final touches, such as the flower and subtle details in the background.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · titanium white

Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and cadmium red, adjusting the proportions for different figures. Use yellow ochre and white to create highlights and lighter areas.

techniques