plate no. 6591
At the Window
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figure, window, and plant.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color with thin washes, focusing on value.
- step 03
Build up layers of paint, adding more detail and color variation.
- step 04
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
- step 05
Pay attention to the light source and how it affects the colors and values.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · sap green · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker shadows. Mix sap green with raw sienna and white for the plant.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·impasto
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Not paying enough attention to the values.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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