plate no. 7709

New York Winter Window

Childe Hassam, 1919

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurewindowinteriortablecurtainscityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing the effects of light filtering through a window. It also provides practice in rendering textures and patterns with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the figure, window, table, and major elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the large areas of color with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of broken color, using short, distinct brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns, particularly on the figure and the window.
step 05
Pay attention to the details of the dress, the fruit bowl, and the cityscape seen through the window.
step 06
Refine the edges and shapes, adding more layers of color to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall effect, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of gray and blue for the window light. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create warm browns for the interior. Add small amounts of red and green to create subtle variations in the shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Neglecting the importance of light and shadow, which can make the painting look unrealistic.
→Getting bogged down in details too early, which can make the painting feel stiff and overworked.
→Not using enough variety in brushstrokes, which can make the painting look monotonous.