plate no. 0220
Two Women
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice capturing figures with loose brushstrokes and creating a sense of depth through subtle color variations. It also encourages exploration of color mixing to achieve muted and harmonious tones.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figures and chairs, focusing on proportions.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted burnt sienna as a base layer for the background and chairs.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures' clothing and hats, using slightly darker values for shadows.
- step 04
Add the pattern on the woman's jacket, using a fine brush and diluted burnt sienna.
- step 05
Refine the shapes and details of the figures, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 06
Add highlights to the hats and clothing to create a sense of form.
- step 07
Use dry brush technique to add texture to the background and clothing.
- step 08
Let dry and add final details and adjustments as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ivory black
secondary · sap green · raw umber
Mix burnt sienna with yellow ochre to create the warm tones of the jacket and chairs. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the dark tones of the hat and clothing. Sap green can be muted with burnt sienna for the green hat.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·color layering
- ·loose brushstrokes
- ·muted color mixing
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
- →Making the sketch too rigid and detailed.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·flat brush (size 6)
- ·water container
- ·palette
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·palette knife
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve a variety of textures.
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