plate no. 2746

In the Embers

etchingImpressionismgenre paintingfigureportraitwomanshadowslighthands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will teach students how to effectively use chiaroscuro to create dramatic lighting and how to build form with cross-hatching and layered strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and clothing with a dark wash.
step 03
Define the light source and begin building up the highlights on the face and hands.
step 04
Use cross-hatching to create texture and depth in the shadows.
step 05
Layer strokes to gradually build up the mid-tones and refine the form.
step 06
Pay close attention to the direction of the strokes to convey the form's contours.
step 07
Add final details to the face and hands, focusing on the eyes and expression.
step 08
Soften edges and blend areas to create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · titanium white · payne's gray

Mix ivory black and raw umber for the dark tones. Use titanium white to create highlights, and payne's gray to soften the dark tones.

techniques

·cross-hatching
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro
·value studies
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions between values.
→Failing to establish a strong light source and consistent shadows.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the strokes, which can flatten the form.