plate no. 5979

Senhora vestida de negro

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguredresschairbackgroundhat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to suggest form with loose brushstrokes and how to create depth using value and color temperature variations within a limited palette. It's also a good exercise in capturing a likeness with minimal detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of grey, yellow, and brown, focusing on the overall value relationships.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the dress using a mix of black, blue, and brown, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and temperature.
step 04
Define the light areas of the face and hands with a mix of white, ochre, and a touch of red.
step 05
Add details to the face, focusing on capturing the expression with a few well-placed strokes.
step 06
Refine the edges of the figure and chair, softening some areas and sharpening others to create depth.
step 07
Add final touches to the background, adjusting the colors and values as needed to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Let dry and add a thin glaze to unify the painting if desired.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium yellow

Mix black with blue and umber for the dress, adding white for highlights. Use ochre and white with a touch of red for the skin tones. Vary the yellow ochre with cadmium yellow for the chair.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Making the darks too flat and lifeless.
→Failing to capture the subtle value and color variations in the face.
→Ignoring the overall composition and focusing too much on individual elements.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt umber)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags