plate no. 4443
Young Girl Meditating
Thomas Eakins, 1877
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor layering, creating soft edges, and capturing the nuances of light and shadow on fabric. It also provides practice in depicting the human figure in a realistic manner.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, table, and plant.
- step 02
Establish the background wash with diluted browns and reds.
- step 03
Begin layering washes on the figure's dress, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Add details to the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle value changes.
- step 05
Paint the table with a mix of reds and browns, creating a sense of depth.
- step 06
Add the plant and pot, using greens and browns.
- step 07
Refine the details and add final touches, such as the red ribbon and blue necklace.
- step 08
Adjust values and edges as needed to create a cohesive composition.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · sap green
Achieve the dress color by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber and white. Use alizarin crimson and burnt umber for the table. Mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·wet-on-dry
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Creating harsh edges instead of soft transitions.
- →Not allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
