plate no. 9697

Wilma

Carel Willink, 1932

oilMagic Realismportraitfigurebuildingwaterreflectionskyportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing realistic reflections, and rendering architectural details. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the figure, building, and water line.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background buildings and sky.
step 03
Establish the basic values and colors of the figure's dress and skin tones.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the building, paying attention to the architectural elements.
step 05
Work on the reflection in the water, simplifying the details and softening the edges.
step 06
Develop the details of the figure's face, hands, and clothing.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue by combining ultramarine blue with white and small amounts of black or umber. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·layering
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the reflection, making it too sharp and distracting.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone, resulting in a flat or lifeless portrait.
→Inaccurately rendering the architectural details of the building.
→Not establishing a strong sense of depth and atmosphere.