plate no. 4255

Young Italian woman sitting on the rocks in Capri

oil, canvasRomanticismgenre paintingfigurerocksseaskymountainsclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, including anatomy and drapery, as well as landscape painting techniques for depicting rocks and water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the rocks.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky, sea, rocks, and figure's clothing with thin washes.
step 03
Develop the values and forms of the rocks, using darker tones for shadows and lighter tones for highlights.
step 04
Refine the figure's anatomy and drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights in the clothing.
step 05
Add details to the figure's face, hair, and jewelry.
step 06
Paint the background mountains and sky, blending the colors smoothly.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and sea. Create the rock colors by blending burnt sienna, raw umber, and ivory black. Achieve the pinkish-red of the dress by mixing cadmium red with white.

techniques