plate no. 1796
Women and Pierrot
Emil Nolde, 1917
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using bold, expressive brushstrokes to convey emotion. It also provides an opportunity to explore non-realistic color palettes and experiment with color relationships.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and the clown.
- step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green.
- step 03
Apply the base colors for the figures' skin tones (yellow-orange) and the clown's costume (white and blue).
- step 04
Add darker tones to define the shadows and contours of the figures.
- step 05
Introduce accent colors like red for the lips and necklaces, and brown for the striped clothing.
- step 06
Refine the details of the faces, focusing on the eyes, mouths, and hair.
- step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
- step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.
color palette
primary · yellow-orange · green · black · white
secondary · red · blue · brown
Mix yellow and orange to achieve the figures' skin tones. Vary the intensity of the green by adding black or white. Use white with a touch of blue to get the clown's costume.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification of form
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Creating muddy colors
- →Losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes
- →Not simplifying the forms enough
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (yellow, orange, green, black, white, red, blue, brown)
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags or paper towels
optional
- ·Painting medium (e.g., linseed oil or acrylic medium)
- ·Easel
- ·Varnish
Using a limited palette will help to create a cohesive and harmonious painting. Experiment with different brushstrokes to achieve the desired effect.
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