plate no. 4822
Woman Reading (The Artist's Wife)
Aaron Shikler, 1962
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing soft lighting, rendering fabric folds, and creating a sense of depth through subtle color variations. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing a mood of quiet contemplation.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, table, and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with broad strokes.
- step 03
Begin refining the figure's features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color on the face and hands.
- step 04
Develop the folds and drapery of the dress, using a combination of blending and layering to create form.
- step 05
Add details to the table and book, focusing on the textures and patterns.
- step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a harmonious composition.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
secondary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light
Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the dress's warm tones. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber for the cool background shadows. Add titanium white to lighten values and create highlights.
techniques
- ·soft blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·cross-hatching
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure early on.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · pastel paper (toned)
required
- ·pastel sticks (various shades of yellow, blue, brown, and white)
- ·pastel paper (toned)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·soft blending stumps
- ·fixative spray
- ·drawing board
- ·ruler
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·sandpaper block
- ·workable fixative
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to allow the pastel to adhere well. A toned paper will help to establish the overall value structure of the painting.
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