plate no. 7018

Death

Jeanne Hébuterne, 1919

oilExpressionisminteriorinteriorfigurebedroomwindowdoorway

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a scene with minimal detail. It also encourages experimentation with color and expressive brushwork to convey mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and furniture.
step 02
Begin with a light wash of diluted yellow and green for the walls and background.
step 03
Add darker washes of brown and gray to define the shadows and architectural details.
step 04
Paint the figures with loose, expressive strokes, using darker colors for the standing figure and lighter colors for the figure in bed.
step 05
Introduce accent colors like red and purple to add depth and visual interest.
step 06
Refine the details of the furniture and other objects, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Allow the paint to dry completely, then add any final touches or corrections.
step 08
Consider adding a light glaze to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · red · gray · green

Mix yellow ochre with raw umber for the walls, and add a touch of green for variation. Use burnt sienna for the furniture and red for accents. Mix gray from raw umber and a touch of blue.

techniques