plate no. 8125

Woman with Moth

oilSurrealismgenre paintingwomanmothlamp posthedgebuildingsidewalk

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in subtle color blending, creating realistic textures, and understanding atmospheric perspective. It also encourages careful observation of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the woman, lamp post, moth, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the sidewalk and building.
step 03
Block in the main color areas: sky, hedge, sidewalk, building, and the woman's clothing.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the hedge, using layers of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
step 05
Paint the lamp post, paying attention to the highlights and shadows created by the light source.
step 06
Develop the woman's figure, focusing on the folds of her dress and the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 07
Add the moth, carefully rendering its intricate details and textures.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors to create a sense of realism and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · sap green · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Achieve the subtle greens of the hedge by mixing sap green with raw umber and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the skin tones by mixing titanium white, burnt sienna, and a small amount of yellow ochre.

techniques