plate no. 9007

Maria van Rysselberghe in Jersey

Theo van Rysselberghe, 1907

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurewomantablebookbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing likeness while also practicing loose, expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in rendering complex patterns and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of blues and whites, creating the floral pattern.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall form and pose.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the face and hands, building up the skin tones with subtle variations.
step 05
Paint the patterned shirt, focusing on capturing the overall effect rather than individual details.
step 06
Add details to the jewelry and book, using smaller brushes for precision.
step 07
Refine the background and foreground, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of blue and white for the background. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of burnt sienna and alizarin crimson. Use viridian green and yellow ochre for the book.

techniques