plate no. 7609

Femme au poêle

Bernard Buffet, 1947

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigureinteriorchairstovekitchenwareroom

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps students practice simplified figure drawing, linear perspective for the room, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages exploration of a limited color palette and expressive line work.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition: the figure, chair, stove, and room boundaries.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points for the room's perspective.
step 03
Block in the main color areas: the yellow walls, pink dress, brown chair, and gray stove.
step 04
Add details to the figure, focusing on simplified shapes and proportions.
step 05
Define the chair and stove with darker lines and shading.
step 06
Create texture on the walls and floor using short, visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and form.
step 08
Refine the linework and add any final details.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix the pink for the dress by combining white with a touch of red. Create the wall color by mixing yellow ochre with white and a hint of burnt umber. Use burnt umber and black for the darker tones of the chair and stove.

techniques

·simplified figure drawing
·linear perspective
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the figure's anatomy.
→Ignoring the perspective of the room.
→Using too many colors.
→Blending colors too smoothly.
→Making the brushstrokes too uniform.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·yellow ochre oil paint
·burnt umber oil paint
·cadmium red light oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·round brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·easel

Use a canvas with a slightly textured surface to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Consider using a quick-drying medium to speed up the drying time.

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