plate no. 6591

At the Window

Rudolf Schweitzer-Cumpana, 1923

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurewindowinteriorplantlightshadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with expressive brushstrokes, as well as mixing subtle color variations to create depth and form. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 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