plate no. 9879

Mrs. Ernest Major

Joseph DeCamp, 1903

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfigurelandscapetreesskybench

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing soft light and shadow, as well as creating a sense of atmosphere through color mixing and brushwork. It also provides practice in rendering the human figure in a relaxed pose.

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, bench, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, such as the sky, water, grass, and the figure's dress, using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the values, paying attention to the shadows on the figure and the surrounding landscape.
step 04
Add details to the figure, such as the face, hands, and clothing, using small, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the background elements, such as the trees, boats, and distant shore, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 06
Mix white with other colors to create the highlights on the dress and the sky.
step 07
Add the final touches, such as the details on the bench and the basket, using a fine brush.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the subtle variations in the sky and the figure's dress. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create the warm tones in the landscape. Mix ultramarine blue and white for the cool tones in the water and sky.

techniques