plate no. 1633
Peasant Woman with Jar
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to suggest form and light, rather than precise detail. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a subject with limited detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the jar.
- step 02
Establish the background color with broad strokes of yellow and green.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's clothing and skin tones, focusing on value rather than precise color.
- step 04
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to define the form and create texture.
- step 05
Mix subtle variations of color to add depth and dimension to the figure's clothing and features.
- step 06
Pay attention to the light source and use highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 07
Add details to the jar, using brighter yellows and oranges to suggest its luminosity.
- step 08
Refine the edges and add finishing touches to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, white, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use white to lighten and cool colors.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·color temperature
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details and losing sight of the overall form.
- →Using too much blending and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, viridian green, cadmium yellow light, alizarin crimson)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Linseed oil or painting medium
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·disposable palette
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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