plate no. 0720

Helene Vary

cardboardPost-Impressionismportraitfigureportraitchairbackgroundwomanpaper

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and gesture, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere with a limited color palette and visible brushstrokes. Students will also learn how to simplify complex forms and create a sense of movement and energy in their paintings.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the entire canvas.
step 03
Begin building up the darker values in the figure's clothing and hair, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Focus on capturing the subtle variations in skin tone, using a mix of warm and cool colors.
step 05
Add details to the chair and background, paying attention to the way the light falls on the surfaces.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · Prussian blue · Venetian red

Mix black with raw umber to create the dark tones of the dress. Use yellow ochre and Venetian red to create the skin tones, and add a touch of blue to cool them down.

techniques