plate no. 2050

By the Window

Edvard Munch, 1940

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewindowtreessnowinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing the mood and atmosphere of a scene through color and composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the figure, window, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, figure, and window area.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the face, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 05
Paint the window and the snowy landscape outside, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
step 08
Add final touches to the brushwork to enhance the expressive quality of the painting.

color palette

primary · red · black · white · grey

secondary · brown · blue · ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing red, white, and a touch of brown. Use grey and black to create shadows. Mix white with blue and ochre for the snow and window.

techniques