plate no. 5511
At Home Mother Sewing
Helene Schjerfbeck, 1903
some experience helpful
This painting helps students practice limited color palettes and capturing a sense of light and shadow to define form. It also provides an opportunity to study the proportions and posture of a seated figure.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and table.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the black dress, the chair, the background, and the table.
- step 03
Refine the shapes and values of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the dress and the light on the face and hands.
- step 04
Add details to the chair, such as the curves of the back and the legs.
- step 05
Develop the background with subtle variations in tone and color.
- step 06
Add the details of the sewing and the table.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix black with raw umber and white to create the various shades of the dress. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to warm up the background and create subtle variations in tone.
techniques
- ·value studies
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in tone and color.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges and creating a flat, lifeless image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth and luminosity of the colors.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Dolly Sisters
Kees van Dongen
Nude with Loaves
Jean Helion
My Father
Carlos Botelho
Helen
Chronis Botsoglou
The portrait painter in the country
Albin Egger-Lienz
Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague
Maria Bozoky
Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city
Paul Werner
Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)
James Ensor