plate no. 7439

Man seated by a window

Marcel Duchamp, 1907

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigurewindowgardentreesnewspaperinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes and mixing colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in depicting a figure in a relaxed pose within an environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, window, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 03
Develop the figure's form using broken brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 04
Add details to the window frame and garden, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 05
Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.
step 06
Pay attention to the color temperature and adjust the colors as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 07
Add final details, such as the pipe and newspaper, to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of green for the foliage by combining yellow, blue, and a touch of burnt sienna. Achieve skin tones by blending white, sienna, crimson, and a hint of blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques