plate no. 4291

Portrait of Emilie Amiet-Baer

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigureinteriortextilesbowltable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and layering brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and creating a sense of depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, background, and objects.
step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 03
Begin layering brushstrokes to build up the form and create texture, paying attention to the direction of the strokes.
step 04
Mix and apply subtle color variations to the skin tones, clothing, and background.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and objects, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final details and refine edges.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Red · Yellow Ochre

secondary · Viridian · Titanium White · Ivory Black

Mix blue and white for the dress, red and yellow for the background, and use small amounts of green and black to create depth and shadows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken Color
·Color Mixing
·Layering
·Pointillism

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Ignoring the direction of brushstrokes, leading to a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Focusing too much on details early on, before establishing the overall color harmony.
→Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre, Viridian, Titanium White, Ivory Black)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags