plate no. 3158

Portrait of Anne Zernike

Jan Mankes, 1915

oilSymbolismportraitfigureportraitinteriorwindowtablelamp

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in subtle color mixing and creating atmospheric perspective with muted tones. It also provides practice in rendering the human figure in a simplified, expressive style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, table, and window, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background, the figure's dress and blouse, and the table.
step 03
Refine the colors and values of the background, creating a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 04
Develop the form of the figure, focusing on the subtle transitions between light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the table and lamp, paying attention to the reflected light.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
step 07
Add the details of the necklace.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · raw sienna · Prussian blue · titanium white

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or black to adjust the value. Use thin glazes to build up the colors gradually.

techniques