plate no. 1082

Closed Blinds

Frederick Carl Frieseke, 1924

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigureinteriordresswindowfruit

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, as well as understanding how light interacts with different textures. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a subject and creating a sense of depth through layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and major elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: background, skin tones, dress, and furniture.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build depth and form, paying attention to the subtle variations in hue and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 05
Add the details of the dress, including the stripes and folds.
step 06
Refine the background and surrounding elements, such as the window and fruit bowl.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to color and value to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the blues in the dress by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a hint of yellow ochre. The orange-red of the chair is a mix of burnt sienna and alizarin crimson.

techniques