plate no. 1983

Girl in a Doorway

oilImpressionismgenre paintingbuildingfigurefoliagedoorwaystepswindows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing light and shadow with limited detail. It also encourages simplification of complex forms into basic shapes.

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 of the building, figure, and foliage, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre or raw sienna to the building, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 03
Paint the roof with a mix of burnt umber and indigo, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 04
Add darker values to the shadows on the building and steps using a mix of indigo and burnt sienna.
step 05
Paint the foliage with varying shades of green, using loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the figure in the doorway, keeping the details minimal.
step 07
Use a fine brush to add details like window frames and small branches.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors as needed to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · indigo

secondary · sap green · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber for the building's warm tones. Use indigo and burnt umber for shadows and the roof. Create greens by mixing indigo and yellow ochre or sap green.

techniques