plate no. 2948

The Reader

Grace Cossington Smith, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigureinteriorchairwindowbookdress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice broken color techniques and learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also offers practice in capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, chair, window, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the main color areas with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns on the figure and surrounding objects.
step 05
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve a textured, impressionistic effect.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to color, value, or composition.

color palette

primary · pink · dark blue · yellow ochre · red

secondary · white · green · brown

Achieve the pinks by mixing red and white with a touch of yellow. Create the dark blues by mixing blue with a touch of black and burnt umber. The browns are achieved by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue.

techniques