plate no. 8968

Madame Cezanne Leaning on a Table

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraittabledressinteriorchair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, particularly creating subtle variations of blues and grays, and in capturing form through visible brushstrokes.

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 figure and the table.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of blue and gray.
step 03
Establish the main values on the figure, focusing on the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes of the face and hands, paying attention to the planes.
step 05
Add the details of the dress and the table, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Mix and apply the colors for the pink bow, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Raw Umber

secondary · Rose Madder · Yellow Ochre

Mix blues and whites to create the cool background. Use raw umber and white for the dress, adding small amounts of blue to create the gray tones. Mix rose madder and white for the pink bow.

techniques

·Blocking in
·Visible brushstrokes
·Color mixing
·Layering
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a flat, lifeless painting.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong, which can make the painting look awkward.
→Not paying attention to the values, which can flatten the form.
→Using too much detail, which can detract from the overall impression.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Titanium White, Raw Umber, Rose Madder, Yellow Ochre)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags