plate no. 6132

Auguste Reading to Her Daughter

Mary Cassatt, 1910

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresmotherchildreadinggardenbench

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow on figures and clothing, as well as creating a sense of atmosphere through loose brushwork and color mixing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the bench.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the background, the figures' clothing, and the bench.
step 03
Start refining the shapes and values of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the faces and clothing, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 05
Work on the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere with loose brushwork.
step 06
Refine the details of the bench and the book.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · pink · green · blue · white

secondary · red · yellow · brown

Mix pinks by adding white to red. Achieve greens by mixing blue and yellow, and varying the proportions for different shades. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques