plate no. 9922
On a Bench
Berthe Morisot, 1889
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with loose brushstrokes and mixing subtle color variations to create a sense of atmosphere. It also provides practice in portraiture and depicting fabric textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of the bench and background elements.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Develop the clothing and hat, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
- step 05
Add details to the background, including the flowers and foliage.
- step 06
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Let dry and varnish.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · raw umber
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. The blues are muted with raw umber. Greens are created by mixing blue and yellow with touches of burnt sienna to neutralize.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·Impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value.
- →Losing the looseness and spontaneity of the original painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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