plate no. 5730

The Red Parasol

Matej Sternen, 1904

oilImpressionismportraitfigureumbrellalandscapetreesdressportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork, color mixing for natural light effects, and capturing a sense of atmosphere. It also encourages simplification of forms and focusing on overall impression rather than precise 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 composition lightly on the canvas, focusing on the placement of the figure and umbrella.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background greens and the figure's dress.
step 03
Mix the orange for the umbrella and apply it with bold, visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Add highlights and shadows to the figure and dress, using broken color to create a sense of light and form.
step 05
Refine the details of the background, adding texture and variation to the foliage.
step 06
Pay attention to the edges of the forms, softening them to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add the details of the face and hat, keeping them simple and impressionistic.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · cadmium orange · titanium white · sap green

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create variations in the orange by adding small amounts of white, yellow, or red. Use raw umber to create shadows and darker tones.

techniques