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home·artworks·Old Woman Frying Eggs
Old Woman Frying Eggs by Diego Velázquez

plate no. 2767

Old Woman Frying Eggs

Diego Velázquez, 1618

oilBaroquegenre paintingfigureskitcheneggspotteryfabricstill life
experienced study

Students would develop chiaroscuro lighting techniques and learn to paint realistic textures like fabric, ceramics, and food with precise detail and dramatic light-shadow relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Begin with a detailed charcoal sketch establishing the composition and figure proportions

  2. step 02

    Block in the darkest shadow areas with burnt umber mixed with raw umber

  3. step 03

    Establish the middle tones using burnt sienna and raw sienna mixtures

  4. step 04

    Paint the lightest areas and flesh tones using Naples yellow, titanium white, and cadmium red light

  5. step 05

    Develop the fabric textures with careful attention to how light catches the folds

  6. step 06

    Paint the still life elements (pottery, eggs, utensils) with precise attention to reflective surfaces

  7. step 07

    Add final details to facial features, hands, and small objects

  8. step 08

    Refine edges and enhance the dramatic lighting contrast

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · Naples yellow

secondary · cadmium red light · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Mix warm flesh tones with Naples yellow, white, and touches of cadmium red. Create deep shadows by mixing burnt umber with raw umber.

techniques

  • ·chiaroscuro lighting
  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·detailed brushwork
  • ·texture rendering

common pitfalls

  • →rushing the shadow transitions
  • →making highlights too bright too early
  • →losing form in the fabric folds
  • →overworking the surface details

materials

surface · primed canvas or linen panel

required

  • ·#2 flat brush
  • ·#6 flat brush
  • ·#1 round detail brush
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·raw sienna oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·Naples yellow oil paint
  • ·canvas 16x20 inches

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·glazing medium
  • ·#8 filbert brush
  • ·cadmium red light

Use a warm-toned ground preparation to enhance the overall golden tonality of the original

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →chiaroscuro →how to learn by studying the masters →
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