plate no. 9320

Young Woman Holding a Black Cat

Gwen John, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurecatwomanclothingdomestic

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating subtle skin tones and capturing the texture of fur with visible brushstrokes. It also emphasizes the importance of layering and glazing to achieve depth and luminosity.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and cat.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral colors, building up texture with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and cat with darker values, paying attention to the overall form.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, using a limited palette and focusing on subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the texture of the cat's fur with dry brush techniques and varying the direction of your strokes.
step 07
Refine the clothing, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create a range of dark grays for the clothing and cat.

techniques