plate no. 9800
Woman Holding Lipstick
Goyo Hashiguchi, 1920
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in rendering smooth skin tones and intricate patterns. Students can learn about color harmony and creating a sense of depth through subtle shading.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the figure, focusing on proportions and pose.
- step 02
Block in the background color with a thin, even layer.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color.
- step 04
Paint the hair, defining the shape and adding highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Render the kimono, focusing on the patterns and folds.
- step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Paint the lipstick and mirror, paying attention to reflections.
- step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.
color palette
primary · pink · green · black · white
secondary · red · gold · blue
Mix pink by adding small amounts of red to white. Achieve the green by mixing blue and yellow, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Use black sparingly to create shadows and define outlines.
techniques
- ·flat washes
- ·blending
- ·color layering
- ·fine line detail
- ·pattern rendering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the figure.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Using too much black, which can make the painting look harsh.
- →Not paying enough attention to the details of the kimono pattern.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·water
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Use high-quality acrylic paints for best results. A canvas with a smooth surface will make it easier to achieve smooth skin tones.
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