plate no. 7482

Two nuns

watercolor, gouache, paperRomanticismgenre paintingnunsfigureslandscapeskyclothingbasket

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly drapery and rendering subtle tonal variations. It also provides practice in creating a soft, atmospheric landscape background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and landscape elements, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of light blue for the sky, blending it softly to create clouds.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes of the figures with diluted washes of gray and white.
step 04
Build up the darker tones in the nuns' habits, using multiple layers of diluted paint.
step 05
Add details to the faces, hands, and clothing, focusing on subtle shading and highlights.
step 06
Paint the landscape elements, such as the ground, rocks, and foliage, with soft, blended washes.
step 07
Add final details, such as the basket and the small flowers.
step 08
Refine the edges and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · raw umber · rose madder · yellow ochre

Mix black and white to create various shades of gray for the habits. Use diluted washes of blue and white for the sky. Mix raw umber with other colors to create earth tones.

techniques

·glazing
·dry brushing
·blending
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.
→Using too much paint, which can make the painting look heavy and muddy.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·gouache paints
·watercolor paper 140lb
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brush (size 1/2 inch)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels

optional

·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple layers of paint. Gouache can be used for adding opaque highlights and details.

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