plate no. 1242
Washer Women
Barrington Watson, 1966
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to define form and texture. It's also a good exercise in color mixing to achieve the subtle variations in the landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures, rocks, and background.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, field, water, and major elements of the figures.
- step 03
Add the darker values to define the shadows and forms of the figures and rocks.
- step 04
Introduce the lighter values to create highlights and volume.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to the folds in clothing and facial features.
- step 06
Add texture to the rocks and ground with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw umber
Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and white. Use white to lighten and cool colors.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
- →Creating mud by overmixing colors.
- →Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat image.
- →Ignoring the perspective and creating a distorted composition.
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 oils)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to faster drying times.
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