plate no. 1225
Wilma with a Cat
Carel Willink, 1940
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabric, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also practice rendering fur and capturing the likeness of a pet.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure, cat, and background elements.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and block in the large shapes of color and value.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Work on the cat's fur, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 05
Develop the plaid pattern on the clothing, carefully rendering the intersecting lines and colors.
- step 06
Add details to the background architecture, creating a sense of depth and perspective.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · viridian · yellow ochre
Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red. Create the plaid pattern by mixing viridian and yellow ochre with burnt umber and white to achieve the various shades of green, brown, and beige.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering fur
- ·fabric texture
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure or cat.
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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