plate no. 7911

On the Couch

Matej Sternen, 1909

oilImpressionismportraitfigurecouchportraitdressinteriorfurniture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with broken color and creating a sense of form with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the couch's structure.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of warm undertones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, paying attention to the light and shadow on the figure and couch.
step 04
Begin building up layers of paint, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 05
Focus on capturing the highlights and shadows on the dress to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add details to the face and hands, using subtle color variations to create form.
step 07
Refine the background and couch, adding details to create depth and visual interest.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · cadmium red light

Achieve the subtle variations in the dress by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and ultramarine blue. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the warm tones of the couch and background.

techniques