Women in Prayer by Werner Berg

plate no. 9986

Women in Prayer

Werner Berg, 1958

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigureswomenheadscarvesprayerindoors

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and layering paint to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

3

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

3

compositional simplicity

4

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and background.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of blue for the background, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures' clothing and headscarves.
step 04
Mix and apply the skin tones, paying attention to subtle color variations.
step 05
Add shadows and highlights to define the forms and create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and hands.
step 07
Add texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 08
Adjust colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Cadmium red · Yellow ochre

secondary · Ultramarine blue · Burnt umber · Titanium white

Mix blues and umbers to achieve the muted background. Combine reds and umbers for the clothing. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·Color mixing
·Layering
·Dry brushing
·Simplifying forms
·Limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors and losing vibrancy
→Creating muddy tones
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong
→Ignoring subtle color variations

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas
·Acrylic or oil paints
·#4 round brush
·#8 flat brush
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water

optional

·Medium gloss
·Easel
·Rags

Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve blending.

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