plate no. 6700
Woman with fan
Giacomo Favretto, 1885
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with loose brushstrokes and mixing muted color palettes to create a sense of atmosphere. It also provides practice in depicting fabric folds and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with thin washes of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, figure, and dress.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, fan, and clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
- step 05
Refine the brushwork, using loose strokes to create a sense of movement and energy.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious balance.
- step 08
Add final details and refine edges.
color palette
primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · viridian · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red light · titanium white
Mix muted greens by combining viridian with yellow ochre and burnt umber. Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Creating colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·viridian oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
