plate no. 8960

Young Couple

Emil Nolde, 1935

watercolorExpressionismportraitfiguresportraitcoupleclothinghairhands

some experience helpful

This painting offers a chance to practice color mixing and layering techniques to create depth and form, while also exploring expressive brushwork to convey emotion. Students can learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use color to define the planes of the face and clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background.
step 03
Layer in the skin tones, using a mix of blues, yellows, and reds.
step 04
Define the clothing with bold strokes of green and red.
step 05
Add details to the faces, such as eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Use darker colors to create shadows and define the forms.
step 07
Add final details, such as the hair and hands.
step 08
Refine the edges and blend colors as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Red · Lemon Yellow · Emerald Green

secondary · Orange · Purple · White

Mix blues and yellows for the greenish skin tones. Create depth by layering washes of different colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques