Pearl's Granddaughter

About The Gouache Painting

This gouache painting is a compelling reinterpretation of Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, replacing the original’s soft elegance with a bolder, more contemporary edge. The subject’s vivid orange headscarf adds a striking contrast to the dark background, drawing immediate attention to her thoughtful, almost confrontational gaze. The textured brushstrokes and rich, earthy palette give the piece a tactile depth and painterly energy that differentiates it from the smooth subtlety of the original. Her expression, simultaneously vulnerable and strong, invites the viewer into a quiet moment of introspection. Signed in blue by the artist, the work pays homage to a timeless classic while asserting a distinct and personal voice.

Inspiration

I used Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring as a reference when painting.

Artwork Process

This was my first Gouache painting, so I needed a good study piece. I have used gouache before, but only for small elements of a watercolor painting. I also stuck with using the Zorn limited pallet, including; Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Light, and Ivory Black. Selectively using Cobalt Blue on the blouse.

Tags

• Keywords:
• Woman
• Lady
• Young
• Smile
• Face
• Expression
• Gaze
• Headscarf
• Pose
• Intense
• Indoors
• Classical
• Collections:
• Portraits
• Colors:
• Tan
• Orange
• Blue
• Categories:
• Realism
• Portrait
• Painting
• Mediums:
• Gouache