plate no. 1742

Master Robert Kelso Cassatt

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitchildfigurechairclothingindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing subtle skin tones using a limited palette. It also provides practice in depicting form through color and value rather than precise outlines.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of warm browns and oranges.
step 03
Establish the darkest values of the clothing and hair using a mix of burnt umber and black.
step 04
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with a base of ochre and gradually adding pinks and whites for highlights.
step 05
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and cuffs, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the background and chair, adding texture and depth with varied brushwork.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and dimension.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use burnt umber and black for dark areas, and add small amounts of ultramarine blue to cool down the browns.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·color layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Relying too heavily on outlines instead of using color and value to define form.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value in the skin tones.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, ivory black, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags