plate no. 3460

Afternoon in Piedmont (Elsie Whitaker Martinez)

Xavier Martinez, 1908

oilTonalismportraitfigurewindowcurtainslandscapeinteriorlight

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing limited palette color mixing and creating atmospheric perspective. Students can learn to create a sense of depth and mood using subtle value and color shifts.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, window, and landscape.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of a neutral color like raw umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darkest areas and working towards the lightest.
step 04
Mix a range of greens and yellows to represent the light filtering through the window and illuminating the scene.
step 05
Refine the details of the figure, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 06
Add details to the landscape outside the window, using lighter values and less detail to create a sense of distance.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors to create a hazy, atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.