plate no. 8240

Francoise Wearing a Big White Hat

Mary Cassatt, 1908

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfiguregirlhatdressindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing soft, diffused light using impressionistic brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting fabric textures and folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the skin, dress, hat, and background.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones and shadows, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Add highlights to the face, hat, and dress, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Refine the details of the hair, facial features, and the lace on the hat.
step 06
Develop the background with loose brushstrokes, suggesting depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the blue of the dress by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre for a softer tone.

techniques