plate no. 7020
Woman Washing Her Face
Goyo Hashiguchi, 1920
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing smooth color transitions and rendering the human form with minimal shading. Students can learn to create a sense of depth through subtle variations in tone and line weight.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
2
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figure, basin, and background elements.
- step 02
Apply a thin, even wash of the background color.
- step 03
Block in the skin tones using a light, diluted mixture.
- step 04
Add subtle shading to the figure, focusing on areas like the neck, chest, and arms.
- step 05
Paint the hair in solid black, adding a touch of red for the hair ornament.
- step 06
Render the basin and water, paying attention to the reflections and ripples.
- step 07
Paint the wooden frame and background screen with thin washes of color.
- step 08
Refine the details and outlines with fine lines.
color palette
primary · ivory · black · grey
secondary · yellow ochre · red · green
Mix ivory with small amounts of yellow ochre and red to create the skin tones. Use diluted black for subtle shading and outlines.
techniques
- ·flat washes
- ·color layering
- ·line drawing
- ·blending
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the shading and losing the delicate quality of the original.
- →Making the outlines too heavy and harsh.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure.
- →Inconsistent color mixing.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper
- ·watercolor paints (ivory, black, grey, yellow ochre, red, green)
- ·round brushes (small and medium)
- ·mixing palette
- ·water container
- ·soft eraser
- ·pencil
optional
- ·ruler
- ·masking fluid
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure smooth washes. Dilute the paints with plenty of water to achieve the desired transparency.
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