plate no. 4467

Seated Woman

oilCubismportraitfigureportraittablebowlchairroom

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand limited color palettes and how to create form using subtle value changes. It will also develop skills in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the room, table, figure, and bowl.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color using a mid-tone blue for the room and a light gray for the table and figure.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the room corners and around the figure's features.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes of the figure, simplifying the drapery into planes.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of the blue and gray to create depth and form.
step 06
Add the details of the chair and the bowl on the table.
step 07
Refine the edges and add highlights to create a sense of light.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue by adding white or raw umber to ultramarine blue. Use raw umber and white to create grays, adding small amounts of blue to cool them down.

techniques