plate no. 5398

Portrait of my mother peeling a turnip, in front of a window

oilRealismgenre paintingfigurewindowinteriorstill lifebuildingsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and capturing the effects of light filtering through a window. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere using subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, window, and major objects.
step 02
Establish the dark and light areas using a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, including the sky, buildings, and interior walls.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the figure, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and hue.
step 05
Develop the details of the still life on the windowsill, focusing on accurate color and form.
step 06
Refine the window frame and the light streaming through it, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add final details and adjust values to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Varnish the painting when dry to protect the surface and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm highlights and skin tones. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to darken shadows and create cool tones.

techniques