plate no. 3093
Lady in the forest
Giovanni Fattori, 1875
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow within a complex scene. It also provides practice in depicting a figure within a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the trees, the figure, and the path.
- step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the background foliage and the tree trunks using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering darker values to define the shadows and create depth within the forest.
- step 04
Block in the figure's dress and umbrella with a base color, paying attention to the folds and form.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to the figure to give it dimension and integrate it into the scene.
- step 06
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of atmosphere and unity.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · Prussian blue
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium yellow light
Mix greens by combining Prussian blue and yellow ochre, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Achieve the muted tones of the dress by mixing white with small amounts of umber and blue.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·layering
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
- →Creating overly saturated colors that clash with the muted palette.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat painting.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations within the shadows and highlights.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a slightly textured surface to enhance the brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to achieve color harmony.
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