plate no. 7061

Woman brothel

oil, cardboardPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanhairclothingprofile

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use visible brushstrokes to create form and texture, as well as how to mix colors to achieve a specific mood and atmosphere. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a sense of character.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background.
step 03
Develop the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Paint the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 05
Add the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 06
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · cadmium red · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · purple · white

Mix yellow ochre and white for the lighter skin tones, and add small amounts of red or umber for shadows. Use cerulean blue and white for the clothing, and mix in small amounts of yellow or red to create variations. Mix burnt umber with blue and red for the darker background tones.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·directional brushstrokes
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→over-blending
→losing the freshness of the brushstrokes
→getting the proportions wrong
→not capturing the likeness

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints
·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife

optional

·painting medium
·varnish
·easel

Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process. Work quickly and intuitively, focusing on capturing the overall impression of the subject.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein