plate no. 5404

Portrait of Paule Gobillard

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatgardenfigurefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose, expressive brushwork and capturing light and shadow with color variations. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms and creating a sense of depth with layering.

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, hat, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint, using short, broken brushstrokes to define the forms and capture the light.
step 04
Pay attention to the color variations within each area, mixing subtle shifts in hue and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the face and hat, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 06
Refine the background foliage with loose, gestural brushwork, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making final adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve the purples by mixing ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson. Greens are created by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue or viridian. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques