plate no. 7492

Lady in the mirror with a fan

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguredressmirrorreflectionfaninterior

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good exercise in capturing the subtle variations of light and shadow on a white dress, as well as practicing reflections and creating depth with a limited palette. Students can also learn to suggest details rather than rendering them precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, mirror, and major shapes.
step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones, paying attention to variations in value.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress with a mix of white, blue, and gray, focusing on the overall form.
step 04
Start building up the highlights and shadows on the dress, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the mirror frame with gold and brown tones, suggesting the reflective surface.
step 06
Add the figure's face and hair, using subtle color variations to capture the likeness.
step 07
Paint the reflection in the mirror, simplifying the details and using slightly muted colors.
step 08
Add final details such as the fan, flowers, and any other small elements.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the various shades of white in the dress. Use red and yellow ochre to create the skin tones, and mix blue and black for the dark background.

techniques