plate no. 5337

An old woman standing by a window

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurewindowinteriordresslightwall

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice subtle color mixing and creating a sense of depth through tonal variations. Students can learn to simplify forms and focus on capturing the overall mood and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the figure, the window, and the wall.
step 02
Establish the overall tonal range by applying a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna to the entire canvas.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color: the wall, the dress, and the window area, focusing on the relative values.
step 04
Refine the shapes and edges of the figure and the window, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
step 05
Add highlights to the figure's cap and the window frame to create a sense of light.
step 06
Soften the edges and blend the colors to create a hazy, atmospheric effect.
step 07
Add subtle details to the figure's hands and the folds of the dress.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm the grays. Use burnt sienna to create the warmer tones in the wall.

techniques