plate no. 5307

Jules Standing by His Mother

Mary Cassatt, 1901

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresportraitmotherchilddomestic scene

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing skin tones and subtle variations in light and shadow. It also provides practice in creating soft, impressionistic brushstrokes and blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures onto the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of muted tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and hair, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create the subtle variations in skin tone, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the clothing and background further, using looser brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, ensuring that the overall composition is balanced and harmonious.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darker areas and shadows. Add alizarin crimson for warmth in the cheeks and lips.

techniques