plate no. 6820
Woman Standing Behind the Sun
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes, creating textures with dry brush techniques, and understanding the use of symbolism in art. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve subtle tonal variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and shapes, paying attention to proportions and composition.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted grey/blue to the background areas.
- step 03
Establish the golden circle representing the sun with a light ochre wash.
- step 04
Begin layering colors on the figures, starting with light washes and gradually building up darker tones.
- step 05
Add the rose patterns on the woman's dress using a small brush and a mix of pinks and reds.
- step 06
Use dry brush techniques to create texture in the background and on the figures' clothing.
- step 07
Define the details of the faces and hands with fine lines and subtle shading.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
color palette
primary · grey · ochre · pink · blue
secondary · red · white · black
Mix ochre with white and a touch of yellow for the sun. Create various shades of grey by mixing black and white with small amounts of blue or brown. Achieve the rose color by mixing red and white with a touch of pink.
techniques
- ·layering washes
- ·dry brush texture
- ·color mixing
- ·fine line detail
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on individual elements.
- →Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paper 140lb
- ·Watercolor paints (grey, ochre, pink, blue, red, white, black)
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brush
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Pencil
optional
- ·Masking fluid
- ·Palette knife
- ·Easel
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.
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