plate no. 3410
Lady at a Window
Vincenzo Irolli, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow, as well as simplifying complex scenes into impressionistic brushstrokes. It's also good practice for painting figures in a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the window.
- step 02
Establish the dark areas of the figure and the interior with a thin wash of dark color.
- step 03
Block in the general colors of the cityscape outside the window, keeping it loose and impressionistic.
- step 04
Develop the light and shadow on the figure, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
- step 05
Add details to the window frame and blinds, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the cityscape, adding hints of buildings and foliage.
- step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the figure and the window.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · sap green · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining black, umber, and white. Use small amounts of red to warm up the skin tones and add subtle color variations to the cityscape.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Making the figure too stiff or posed.
- →Not capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before starting.
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